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Wisconsin School of Business Entrepreneurship Students, Alumni
Advance to Semi-Finals of Governor’s Business Plan Contest

March 12, 2008

Four current and five former Wisconsin School of Business entrepreneurship students and Wisconsin Entrepreneurial Bootcamp participants are members of the 51 semi-finalist teams competing in the prestigious Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest. The contest, now in its fifth year, encourages entrepreneurs in the creation, start-up and early-growth stages of high-tech businesses in Wisconsin.

“Given the large number and quality of entries, it is quite an accomplishment to be named one of 51 semi-finalists, and further underscores the university’s role in developing the entrepreneurs and innovations that will drive Wisconsin’s future economy,” said Dan Olszewski, director of the Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship, which is housed within the Wisconsin School of Business.

Contestants in the Governor’s contest were selected from a field of 250 first-round entries by an independent panel of judges organized through the Wisconsin Technology Council, which is producing the contest in conjunction with its membership subsidiary, the Wisconsin Innovation Network, the Wisconsin Angel Network and other statewide affiliates. The top 20 Summary Business Plan presenters, plus ties, prepare Final Business Plans for judging. Judges will review the plans and pick one winner from each category. The top four category winners will present their plans at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference.

Participants have the chance to win seed capital, valuable services that will help them launch their businesses and a Grand Prize worth $50,000. Since its inception in 2004, more than 1,000 entries have been received and nearly $650,000 in cash and in-kind prizes has been awarded.