Co-working spaces, legal services and interior design services are just some of the prizes available to the applicants in the 2020 Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest. This year’s prize pool, which also includes cash, will approach $125,000.

Contestants have until 5 p.m. Sunday Jan. 31, 2021, to enter their 250-word business ideas at govsbizplancontest.com.

Since the contest’s inception in 2004, more than 4,100 entries have been received from 323 communities across Wisconsin. Finalists over time have shared in more than $2.4 million in cash and “in-kind” prizes (such as legal, accounting, office space and marketing). For many contestants, these services will provide an important jumpstart in getting their businesses rolling. Past sponsorships have included:

IT Consulting • Accounting Services • Website Design • Legal Services • Co-working Space
Interior Design Planning • Mentoring Classes • Social Media Consulting • Office Space

Sponsors currently contributing to the cash prize pool are led by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and include Madison Gas & Electric; Marshfield Clinic Health System; Novel Coworking, Quarles and Brady, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, and Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.

Past finalists have launched companies that have raised $220 million in grants, loans, and private equity financing – all while creating jobs and economic value for Wisconsin. About 77% of the finalists from 2012-2019 are still in business.

The 18th annual contest culminates with live presentations by the “Diligent Dozen,” at our June Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference.

To enter or become a sponsor, visit govsbizplancontest.com.