The statewide Wisconsin YES! youth business plan contest will close to entries 5 p.m. Monday, March 18.

All Wisconsin students in middle and high school have the opportunity to submit their ideas and receive feedback from professionals across the state. Students will learn how to write a business plan and develop entrepreneurial skills that will help them succeed in a global economy – all while competing for cash and other prizes.

As a tool for educators, Wisconsin YES! helps foster interest in science and tech education and encourages students to be independent, creative thinkers capable of problem solving.

Students begin by submitting a 250-word idea abstract online at www.WisconsinYES.com by 5 p.m. Monday, March 18, 2013. Plans selected by contest judges will move to Phase 2, during which contestants will write a more in-depth business plan. Templates for both phases are available online, along with other materials. 

Students are able to work in teams or as individuals and may enter multiple ideas. The contest will be judged according to class categories (9th grade and under, 10th grade, 11th grade and 12th grade), with the oldest team member determining the team category.

All phases of the contest will take place online. Each phase will require students to further develop the details of their business plan. 

The Tech Council produces the contest, with major sponsorship from WEA Trust. The Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority is also a sponsor. Wisconsin YES! partners include STEM Forward, Project Lead the Way Wisconsin, Make a Difference Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers and the Wisconsin Association of School Boards.

If you would like further information about the contest, are interested in sponsorship or have questions, please visit www.wisconsinyes.com or contact Joy Sawatzki at info@wisconsinyes.com or 608-442-7557.