Burrill Business Competition

Campus Event Report – G. Steven Burrill Business Plan Competition

The G. Steven Burrill Business Plan Competition, began in 1998, is an event that promotes entrepreneurial spirits among students and faulty members of the UW campus. Cash prize of this event include $10000, $7000, $4000 and $1000. The participants, normally working in inter-disciplinary teams of two or more, develop and present a business plan to a panel of judges. This educational opportunity is supported by various sponsors like Sector67 and VC Mentors as well as by campus partners and community organizations like the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Wiscontrepeneur. The contest is open to all UW-Madison undergraduate and graduate students.

It was an amazing experience to be able to attend this competition and witness the innovation and passion of various contestants. The event was also a showcase of the entrepreneurial enthusiasm in the US. The competition was being held in the Grainger School of Business. There were a variety of ideas being presented in the public space where students can interact with participants to learn more about their visions. Some of the applicants even had functional prototypes which were really impressive.

The event also gathered many bright minds and successful individuals. I was fortunate enough to meet with Justin Becks again, the founder and CEO of PerBlue, and had a short but informative conversation. After a preliminary round, the finalist presented their business plan and idea in the Grainger Planery Room. Each team was well-prepared and I learned a lot from various aspects of it. After each presentation, a series of critical questions where followed from the panel of judges. The teams answered with confidence which I was greatly impressed, I would not have answered those questions like that if I was in their shoes.

One idea that had really caught my attention was an invention that will revolutionize electric motors and generators. The name of the...