49 semifinalists advance in 2023 Gov’s Biz Plan Contest

Forty-nine entries from 25 different municipalities have advanced to the semifinal round of the 20th annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest, according to the Wisconsin Technology Council. Among them are nearly 20 entries from businesses in Dane County.

Contestants emerged in first-round competition involving an independent panel of about 70 judges organized through the Wisconsin Technology Council and its programs, the Tech Council Innovation Network and the Tech Council Investor Networks.

The semifinalists are spread among four broad categories: advanced manufacturing (11), business services (13), information technology (15), and life sciences (10). Within those broad categories, plans range from green building materials to workforce solutions, and from medical innovation to software for security, management, education, and more.

Those 49 plans also represent the geographic diversity of Wisconsin, with 28 coming from outside the state’s two largest cities. Fifteen of 49 entrants are women; 13 represent people from diverse ethnic backgrounds.