2024 Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Competition

The mission of the Governor’s Business Plan Contest is to encourage entrepreneurs in the startup stage of tech-enabled businesses in Wisconsin. The contest links up-and-coming entrepreneurs with a statewide network of community resources, expert advice, high-quality education, management talent and possible sources of capital.

Phase 2 of the competition includes an EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. Please read the information below very carefully.


*Please note that information for Phase 2 appears in all accounts, whether advancing or not.  

 Thanks again for participating in the 2024 Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest!

If your entry was NOT selected to advance to Phase 2:
You can still view all the judges’ comments/feedback. Click on “Submission” in the upper left-hand corner.
At the top of your submission, click the Questions/Comments tab to view any feedback.

If your entry was selected to advance to Phase 2:
Phase 2 of the competition includes an executive summary. Please read the information below very carefully.

ENTRY GUIDELINES:

  • Please note that judges will NOT be able to view your Phase 1 submission during the second round of judging.
  • The entry should be no more than 1,000 words (or no more than 8,000 characters - including spaces).
  • Your executive summary will be broken down into eight sections. You are required to write something under every section.
  • Please note that each text box has a limit of 1,100 characters - including spaces.

MAKING EDITS AND/OR ADDING PHASE 2 INFORMATION:

  • Click on the "SUBMISSION" tab on the left-hand side of the screen.
  • Click the orange "EDIT" button at the top of the screen.
  • Click through your application and make all edits.
  • Be sure to click “SAVE & LOGOUT” at the end of your application to save your changes.
  • Once your entry is complete and you have no more edits, you must click “SUBMIT” by the deadline for your entry to be included in the Phase 2 judging round.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

  • You will be able to edit your entry up until 5 p.m. March 11, 2024
  • Be sure to hit “Save & Exit” each time to save your work.
  • You must hit “Submit” for your completed entry to be included in the judging round. 

CONTEST TIMELINE:
Phase 2 deadline – 11:59 p.m., March 11, 2024

Phase 3 deadline – 11:59 p.m., April 22, 2024
Final presentations and Awards ceremony – June 2024 (Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference)
 

Visit the contest website (www.govsbizplancontest.com) to view a sample executive summary.

Mentors

Throughout the contest, contestants will have the opportunity to submit questions to a group of mentors. BPC mentors are innovative business leaders within the state that have volunteered their time and expertise to assist the entrepreneurs participating in the competition. To communicate with the mentors, please submit your question to mentors@govsbizplancontest.com. Be as specific as possible and include all relevant information.

Questions

If you have any questions throughout this process, please contact the contest administrator at info@govsbizplancontest.com or at 608-442-7557 ext. 1

Individuals, teams or companies are eligible if they:

  1. Are Wisconsin residents 18 years old or older, and who have a business plan that employs or leverages technology. Examples of technology include an eCommerce platform, a mobile application, a life sciences innovation or an advanced manufacturing process or system.

  2. Are based in Wisconsin and/or plan to locate a business in Wisconsin.

  3. Have not received private equity funding for an idea in its current form. For the purposes of this contest, private equity funding includes ONLY angel or venture funding. It does not include SBIR/STTR, bank loans, accelerator program investment or funding from friends or family.