Northeast Wisconsin Business Plan Contest

The Northeast Wisconsin Business Plan Contest was started in 2004 with the following goal:
To encourage the preparation of business plans for starting businesses, making significant changes to existing businesses, or launching new products in northeast Wisconsin.  

Wisconsin ranks 47th in new business formations.  There are many ways to improve our performance in that area and one of the major ones involves business plans.  It is rare for a new business to be funded and successfully operate without a good business plan. 

Previous Winners:  2006, 2007 , 2008 , 2009

• 2010 Business Plan Contest Timeline
• Fact Sheet

 A well-written plan:

• Provides an objective, unemotional, and critical review of the business opportunity
• Is the preferred method of communication between entrepreneurs and potential investors
• Is a living document that may be used to help manage the business and can help to identify changes in the assumptions in the original plan
• Can introduce logic and discipline into the planning process
• Shows where a company is going, how it will get there, and what it will look like when it arrives
• Helps identify problems, risk, and weaknesses at an early stage so they can be addressed and corrected

Who can enter the contest – Individuals and companies that meet the contest's goal.

What types of plans are eligible – All business plans for new northeast Wisconsin businesses, new products, or significant changes in existing businesses are eligible.

Prizes – A total of $25,000 in prizes will be awarded with a top prize of $10,000.  Second place will receive $6,000, third will receive $4,000, fourth will receive $3,000, and fifth will receive $2,000.  The business must be open by March 8, 2011 in order to receive the prize money. 

Entry Information – Entries must be received by Noon on January 11, 2010.  Results will be announced on March 8, 2010.  Please download and use the following forms:

• Contest Forms
• Executive Summary Template
• Full Business Plan Evaluation Criteria

Judging – Contest judges will include individuals who are involved in entrepreneurial and business development activities. 

 

NORTHEAST WISCONSIN BUSINESS PLAN CONTEST

2010 CONTEST COMMITTEE

 

CO-CHAIRS

 

Kara Homan, Associate Planner, East Central Regional Planning Commission – khoman@eastcentralrpc.org – 920/751-4770

 

Cathy Huybers, Business Services Manager, Fox Valley Workforce Development Board cathy.huybers@workforceeconomics.org - 920/720-5600 ext. 306

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

 

Diana Schultz, Director of Client Services and Marketing, Manitowoc Economic Development Corporation - dschultz@edcmc.org - 920/482-0540

 

Dr. Al Hartman, Dean of the College of Business Administration - UW Oshkosh hartman@uwosh.edu - 920/424-1424

 

Peter Thillman, Dean of Workforce & Economic Development Solutions – Lakeshore Technical College - peter.thillman@gotoltc.edu - 920/693-1119

 

Jennifer Brown, Executive Director, Kewaunee County Economic Development Corporation brownjk@kcedc.org  – 920/487-5233

 

Rob Kleman, Executive Director – Oshkosh Commercial Development Corporation rob@oshkoshchamber.com - 920/303-2265 ext. 14

 

Dave Thiel, Executive Director, Waupaca County Economic Development Corporation wcedc@charter.net - 920/982-1582

 

Jessica Beckendorf, Associate VP Economic Development, Advance, jbeckendorf@titletown.org - 920/496-2113

 

Sam Perlman, Economic Development Manager, Door County Economic Development Corp., sam@doorcountybusiness.com – 920/743-3113

 

Carol Karls, Manager-Business & Community Development, Wisconsin Public Services Corp., cskarls@wisconpublicservices.com - 920/433-1135

 

General Questions?  Contact Cathy Huybers at (920) 720-5600 x306.