From software to medical devices to hunting, BPC finalists show state’s tech range

MADISON – Twenty-four entries representing sectors as broad as software, agriculture,
water technology, medical devices and innovations in manufacturing are
competing in the finalist round of the 12th 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 programs. A lead sponsor is the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.

“This is an exciting range of
finalists that are emblematic of Wisconsin’s vibrant entrepreneurial
ecosystem,” said Toni Sikes, Tech Council chairwoman. “Few contests can blend
together industries as varied as life sciences, gaming and hunting.”

One top entry from UW-Madison’s G.
Steven Burrill Business Plan Contest will join these 24 plans in the Phase 3
judging round in early May.

Software and business service plans
include systems and applications for personal finance; photo organization and
management; step-by-step Medicare guidance; continuing
medical education courses; reducing readmission rates and improving
health outcomes; conference and event management; assisting collegiate athletes
in finding post-graduation employment; and flight training management for small
business flight schools and facilities.

Entries focused on sports and
recreation innovations include a unique hunting platform stand; a service connecting
hunters and landowners to facilitate hunting land lease transactions; and a
digital adaptation of an award-winning card game. 

Manufacturing ideas include
technology for recovering phosphorus from wastewater; self-lubricating aluminum
composite components; a wireless electrical weapon; digital tools for
shop-floor management; industrial reactors that employ cold-plasma technology
for water and wastewater treatment; and technically designed underwear for
under yoga pants and leggings.

Health-related plans include a
clinical therapeutic device to help stroke patients retrain the fundamentals of
balance required for walking; a point-of-care test for early detection of heart
attack; a naturally occurring biopesticide platform; therapeutic and diagnostic
solutions for gastrointestinal disorders; a medical imaging and lighting system
enabling fluorescence image-guided surgery of cancerous lesions and other
diseased tissues; a diagnostics assay that allows for rapid analysis of
multiple myeloma patients’ own tumor cells response to different chemotherapy
regimens; and a device that monitors fertility and pregnancy based on salivary
hormones.

The contest began in late January with 238 entries. To be eligible for the contest, participants cannot have
raised more than $25,000 in private equity by the start of the contest.

Finalists will submit 15- to 20-page business plans for
review by a panel of more than 85 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 present in front of a panel of judges and conference attendees
at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference on June 2 at the Alliant Energy
Center in Madison. Category winners, as well as the 2015 Grand Prize Winner,
will be announced during the BPC Awards Luncheon on June 3. More information on
the conference will be available in the coming weeks.  

Sponsors are contributing cash, office space, legal
assistance, accounting, information technology consulting, marketing and more. About $2 million in cash and in-kind prizes have been
awarded since the inception of the contest in 2004.

Sponsors of the 2015 contest thus
far include: 100state; Aberdean Consulting; American Family Insurance;
AT&T; Exact Sciences; Kollath & Associates; Madison Gas & Electric;
Marshfield Clinic Applied Sciences; Michael Best & Friedrich; Mortenson
Construction; Nordic; Quarles & Brady; Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren; SCORE
Wisconsin; State of Wisconsin Investment Board; Tweedee Productions; University
Research Park; UW-Madison Office of Corporate Relations; Wisconsin Economic
Development Corp; and Wisconsin Technical College System. To become a sponsor, contact
Maurice Cheeks at 608-442-7557.

Finalists are listed below. Reporters wishing to contact
individual contestants may do so through the Tech Council by calling
608-442-7557.