With limited budgets for marketing and advertising, startups benefit from free media coverage that offers exposure to potential customers and partners (Read more 15 minutes of Fame). Competitions, contests, pitch opportunities, and awards offer great ways to get free publicity for your startup!
To help you get started on your 2020 planning, here’s a list of annual contest and competitions for startups based in Wisconsin:
Governor’s Business Plan Contest
Applications due in January
The annual Wisconsin’s Governor’s Business Plan Contest connects up-and-coming entrepreneurs and startups with a statewide network of community resources, expert advice and mentoring, possible sources of capital, etc. Contestants also benefit from valuable public and media exposure and have a chance to win cash and in-kind prizes.
Many of clients of the Whitewater University Innovation Center, such as Classmunity, Polco, and MobCraft, have participated in this contest and even ranked in the top Diligent Dozen. Startups based in Wisconsin are eligible to apply. The contest spans from January when applications are due to June when the Diligent Dozen make their final business pitch at the annual Entrepreneur’s Conference.
Governor’s Export Achievement Awards
nominations due in January
The Wisconsin Governor's Export Achievement Awards recognize Wisconsin companies who have achieved success through exporting. The award recognizes a company's good work and exhibits best practices in export growth.
Any Wisconsin company engaging in the export of products or services produced in Wisconsin is eligible. Nominations are typically due by early January.
Wisconsin Innovation Awards
nominations due in may
The annual Wisconsin Innovation Awards celebrate and inspire innovation. The Wisconsin Innovation Awards highlights and honors the development of groundbreaking and innovative ideas.
Nominations are typically due in May and the event ceremony is held the following fall.
5 LAKES Pitch at Summerfest Tech
Applications due in June
5 LAKES Pitch is an opportunity for startups from the Great Lakes to pitch to leaders, executives, investors, and entrepreneurs attending Summerfest Tech. Summerfest Tech is all about technology and showcasing Wisconsin’s growing reputation as a tech hub.
Startups who have raised less than $250,000 in funding or generated less than $500,000 in revenue are eligible to apply to pitch. Also, startups should operate in one of the following areas: future of work, health, mobility, envirotech, or advanced manufacturing. Startups in Biotech, Food & Beverage, and Consumer Products are not eligible. Applications are typically due the beginning of June and the pitch event is held the day Summerfest kick offs.
Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin
Nominations due in November
This Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest highlights Wisconsin's vibrant and diverse manufacturing industry. Popular vote determines the Top 16 companies.
Wisconsin companies are eligible to apply. Nominees span a wide range of products from metal fabrication and food production to automation components and machinery. Nominations are typically due by the end of August and the winners are typically announced in October.
Apply to Pitch at the Early Stage Symposium
Applications due in September
Emerging companies are encouraged to apply to tell their story to investors at the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium. The selected 25 companies may participate in the Tech Council Investor Networks track, the Elevator Pitch Olympics, or the one-on-one Investor Intros meetings with angel and venture investors.
The Tech Council Investor Network tracks will feature companies making five-minute presentations during two sessions, morning and afternoon. The featured companies operate in health care, biotechnology or health IT, software, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, services, and sustainability. Applications are typically do by the end of September and the Early Stage Symposium takes place early November.
Smart Cities Smart Futures
Applications due in September
The Smart Cities Smart Futures contest is hosted by Foxconn. Participants compete for financial awards, in-kind contributions, and technical support to further develop and potentially implement their proposals.
Students, academic staff and faculty at Wisconsin’s public and private colleges and universities are encouraged to develop “smart” proposals to improve and enhance living and working environments, promote attractive streetscapes, transportation networks and living spaces, and improve sustainability. The 2019 Smart Cities Smart Futures competition kicks off early September and concludes towards the end of December with an Awards ceremony.
Small Business Awards
Nominations due in November
The annual National Small Business Awards recognizes a small business owner’s success and contributions to their community as well as small business champions who promote small business.
Small business owners can be nominated for Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Entrepreneurial Success, Family Owned Small Business, Emerging Small Business Person, and Rural Small Business of the Year. Small business champions can be nominated for Women in Business Champion, Veteran Small Business Champion, Small Business Legal Assistance, SCORE Mentor of the year, Minority Small Business Champion, Financial Services Champion, and Home Based Business Champion.
Nominations are typically due in November and final award submissions are due in January. The awards are presented at the annual Small Business Awards Breakfast during National Small Business Week.
Water Technology Challenge
Applications due in November
The Water Council’s Tech Challenge applies to startups with smart, new freshwater technology ideas who want to vet their concept and compete for cash prizes. The Tech Challenge is a global competition designed to identify cutting-edge freshwater technologies with a high potential for commercialization and/or implementation.
Students, researchers, entrepreneurs or professionals are encouraged to apply to the program. Applicants will have a chance to win cash prizes and, more importantly, interact directly with corporate sponsors interested in helping you make your idea a reality. Applications are typically due in November.
Did you notice a competition or contest missing from this list? If so, send the competition details to innovation@uww.edu and we will update the list accordingly!