Have a Wisconsin Startup Idea? Now’s the time.
There are two great opportunities to get funding and advice for your new startup - Spreenkler Talent Labs and the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Competition:
Spreenkler
We’re searching for college students (undergrad, graduate and recent grads 1-3 years out of school) with business ideas that focus on web, social or mobile design and technology. That includes applications like Facebook, Groupon,Evernote and Box.Net. And gadgets like the iPad, Android and Playbook.
Your idea might be something that works with or on those things. Or it might be a game changer that brings something brand new to the scene. Whatever it is, we want to hear about it.
Ideally, you or a fellow student will be capable of designing the interface and writing the code for the technology, but thatʼs not required. We can help.
What you get.
If youʼve got a solid business idea, we’ll help you raise the money and provide the equipment you need to get to the next step.
For each idea selected, up to 3 founders (you and your team) will get:
- Up to $18,000* to cover time and expenses while you work on the idea.
- Up to 3 laptops* with applicable software.
- Office space, desks, chairs and Internet access.
- Assistance with paperwork, including getting the business incorporated.
- Mentoring from entrepreneurs, designers and software engineers.
- Networking with business leaders.
*An investment of up to $6,000 and one laptop per founder (maximum of 3 founders) depending on weekly time commitment each founder agrees to while developing the business plan, prototype and presentation.
What you need to do.
Getting a big idea off the ground takes a lot of energy and a solid plan. Youʼve got the energy and weʼve got the plan. Weʼll need your focus and commitment for 12 weeks. If we get that, youʼll produce:
- Business plan that outlines how youʼll bring your idea to market.
- Working prototype of the design/technology to prove it can work.
- Visual and oral presentation to pitch your idea to funders.
There will be minimum weekly time expectations for working on your idea during those 12 weeks. Probably 15-20 hours per week depending on your class schedule.
Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Competition
The mission of the Governor’s Business Plan Contest is to encourage entrepreneurs in the creation, start-up and early-growth stages of high-tech businesses in Wisconsin. 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 1,500 entries have been received and $1 million in cash and in-kind prizes has been awarded.
Produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council and a growing list of partners, the Governor’s Business Plan Contest engages contestants in a six-month process that includes mentoring and comments from judges on selected plans. It will also lead to valuable public and media exposure for the best business plans submitted by contestants and spur economic growth in Wisconsin. In addition, past finalists have raised a reported $11 million in private equity, such as angel and venture capital.
The statewide contest is an opportunity to compete for cash and in-kind prizes, but it’s also a chance to get constructive feedback on your business plan and to help move it from a virtual business to a reality. In 2010, contestants will once again have the opportunity to win upwards of $200,000 in cash and services!