UW-Madison students face off in expanding business plan competition

From high-tech anti-theft systems and eco-friendly gardening products to smartphone applications and biotechnology devices, students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are pursuing solutions to everyday problems as part of the annual G. Steven Burrill Business Plan Competition at the Wisconsin School of Business.

Forty-five students and a record number of 22 teams will present their original business plans on Friday, April 29, in Grainger Hall for a shot at $23,250 in prize money. New this year, top-placing teams may also win incorporation assistance from BizFilings, memberships at Sector67 — a local collaborative space — and free office space at University Research Park’s newest incubator, the Metro Innovation Center, valued at $15,000.

Eligible entries include both high-technology businesses and ideas for companies where technology doesn’t play a vital role. This year the competition will feature a new tracks model to accommodate the record number of entries. Tracks include Emerging Technologies, Software and Services, Online Communities and Social Networks, and Innovative Retail. A panel of 15 judges drawn from Wisconsin startup companies, nonprofit organizations, investment groups, law firms, and industry will evaluate the students’ plans and presentations.

“The Burrill Competition provides students from all areas of campus an opportunity to come together to create plans for ventures that offer solutions to society’s most challenging problems along with day-to-day life hassles,” says Anne Miner, professor of management and human resources at the Wisconsin School of Business and faculty director of the competition. “We have an outstanding roster of entries this year and we look forward to showcasing the innovative venture plans developed by our students. Students develop creativity, small-group skills and organizational know-how that they can put to use now and in the future. “

Presentations are open to the public and will be held from 8:05 a.m.-3:25 p.m. in Grainger Hall. Visitors should seek out the Today in Grainger Hall event posters for specific meeting rooms

Brian Raffel, co-founder of video game company Raven Software, will serve as the keynote speaker at 4:30 p.m. in the Plenary Room. Prize money will be awarded in a ceremony following the keynote at 5:30 p.m.

Nearly 400 students have participated in the competition while thousands have attended skill-building seminars to develop their business planning expertise since the program’s inception in 1998, says program director John Surdyk. The New York Times and other national media have recognized competition alumni for their successes.

The competition is named for sponsor G. Steven Burrill, a longtime supporter of student innovation and entrepreneurship. Burrill is CEO of Burrill & Co., a life sciences merchant bank with more than $950 million under management. He earned a BBA degree from the Wisconsin School of Business in 1966. For more information about the competition, visit www.bus.wisc.edu/burrill.