MADISON — At a time when more military veterans are expressing interest in becoming entrepreneurs, the 20th annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest is accepting entries online for the 2023 competition through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.  

Over a dozen veterans have made it to the finalist rounds of the Governor’s Business Plan Contest in recent years, including a category winner in the 2016 competition: Nick Mastronardi, a former Air Force officer, won the Information Technology category with POLCO, a civic engagement platform in widespread use across the United States today.

A free webinar on how to prepare to enter the contest will be held Jan. 18. 

The contest is designed to encourage entrepreneurs in the startup stage of tech-based businesses in Wisconsin. It links up-and-coming entrepreneurs with a statewide network of community resources, expert advice and mentoring, management talent and possible sources of capital.

The contest has led to valuable public and media exposure for the top business plans. In 2022, finalists shared in $125,000 in cash and service prizes. Over time, contestants have also raised at least $300 million in angel capital, venture capital and venture debt. The contest’s lead sponsor is the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. 

A review of more than 200 finalists from 2012 through 2019 showed that 155 (76.7 percent) are still in business.

For their initial entries, contestants will submit a 250-word idea abstract online at govsbizplancontest.com. That’s where contestants will also find business plan templates and other information, networking contacts and technical resources.

Contestants who advance to subsequent contest rounds will expand their plan in stages. About 80 judges drawn from the finance, sales, marketing, research and technology sectors across Wisconsin will score the entries and provide feedback on submissions.

To get started, contestants must create a simple account at govsbizplancontest.com. All entries are submitted through the website. Contestants use their account to gain access to mentors throughout the process, as well as review the judges’ comments and feedback.

Since its inception in 2004, nearly 4,450 entries have been received and about $2.5 million in cash and services (such as legal, accounting, office space and marketing) have been awarded. Contest categories are Advanced Manufacturing, Business Services, Information Technology and Life Sciences.

Wisconsin residents 18 years old and older are eligible, as are teams from Wisconsin-based businesses, schools and more. Businesses or teams from outside the state are also eligible to compete if they demonstrate intent to base or expand their business in Wisconsin. Entrepreneurs may also enter multiple ideas, though each idea must be separate and distinct.

Companies or individuals that have not received angel or venture capital in the current form are eligible to enter. The 2023 competition will take place in stages, including a pitch deck for phase 3. 

●  In Phase 1, which is open until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, the contest will accept idea abstracts on the website. Entries should be roughly 250 words and will be graded by the pool of BPC judges. The top 50 idea abstracts will advance to Phase 2. 

●  In Phase 2, which runs from Feb. 20 to 5 p.m. March 13, 2023, the top 50 idea abstracts will submit an executive summary. The top 20 executive summaries will advance to Phase 3. A mentored “boot camp” for contestants will be held during this phase.

●  In Phase 3, which runs from April 3 to 5 p.m. April 24, 2023, the top 20 executive summaries will prepare “pitch decks” with voiceover audio up to 15 minutes long. Judges will review the videos and pick three finalists from each of the four categories to advance to the final live presentation round. Mentored practice sessions will be offered to the top 12 in late May. 

●  The top 12, or “Diligent Dozen,” will square off with live presentations during the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference in June 2023. 

The 2022 grand prize winner was Rapid Radicals, a Milwaukee-based company system to help stop untreated sewage from being dumped into waterways during floods.  Category winners in 2022 were Rapid Radicals (Advanced Manufacturing), Steller Tech Girls (Business Services), HeyGov (Information Technology) and Cold Water Technologies (Life Sciences). 

To enter, become a judge or learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit govsbizplancontest.com.