Contact: Eric Steege, eric.steege@uwex.edu 608-575-7716
UW-Extension invites undergraduates to enter the Wisconsin Big Idea Tournament
MADISON, Wis. – Students can access cutting-edge lean startup tools, test their business ideas and enter the new Wisconsin Big Idea Tournament (WBIT). UW-Extension and partners are presenting the new tournament for undergraduates attending any two- or four-year University of Wisconsin school across the state with the exception of UW-Madison. The goal is to teach cutting-edge Lean Startup business development tools, provide business mentorship and allow students to participate in a fun format for paid internships and a chance to win $25,000.
Interested students should register by Feb. 15, 2014, via a brief online form at http://wisconsinbigideatournament.com/register.html. In contrast to writing a lengthy business plan, participants will be coached to explore their ideas with potential customers. They then will present their tested ideas, and selected finalists will compete April 5 at the state level competition at the Pyle Center in Madison. The top place finisher in that competition is guaranteed entry and an all-expenses paid trip to the International Business Model Competition May 1-3 at Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City.
The Wisconsin Big Idea Tournament has been established to help extend the Wisconsin entrepreneurial ecosystem to younger audiences, with a goal to improve the overall quality of business startup performance in the state.
“The Wisconsin Big Idea Tournament is intended to stimulate and complement the entrepreneurial activities already existing throughout UW System campuses,” said Mark Lange, executive director of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development for UW-Extension. “With campus competitions and a state tournament leading to the international finals, this event is sure to grow rapidly across our campuses!”
Initial support for this project is covered by a matching grant provided by UW System, with program management by UW-Extension, and in partnership with the International Business Model Competition. Additional sponsors include the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and American Family Insurance.
