13 Apr Finalists in Gov’s Biz Plan Contest poised to be part of economic recovery post-COVID
Twenty-eight entries representing sectors as broad as health technologies and innovations in products or services are competing in the finalist round of the 17th annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest.
The contestants have survived two rounds of judging in the contest organized through the Wisconsin Technology Council and its sponsors and volunteers.
“It will be young companies such as those advancing in this year’s contest that will help to lead the economic recovery once COVID-19 recedes in Wisconsin and elsewhere,” said Greg Lynch, chairman of the Tech Council and a partner at the law firm of Michael Best. “Our class of 2020 includes finalists in life sciences, advanced manufacturing, consumer products and IT, making them a microcosm of Wisconsin’s strengths.”
Eight of the 28 finalists are women and 16 of 28 hail from outside Dane County.
Finalists will submit 15- to 20-page business plans for review by a panel of more than 100 judges. Each plan describes the core product or service, defines the customer base, estimates the size of the market, identifies competition, list members of the management team and provides key financial data. Finalists are also encouraged to provide feedback from a potential or current customer.
The “Diligent Dozen,” or top 12 business plans announced in late May, will give an oral presentation that can be viewed by contest judges and conference attendees at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference on a digital platform in June. Category winners, as well as the 2020 Grand Prize Winner, will be announced during the conference. More information on the conference will be available in the coming weeks at witrepsconference.com.