What is the WiSys Big Idea Tournament?

The WiSys Big Idea Tournament is an entrepreneurship competition open to undergraduate and graduate students attending University of Wisconsin System school across the state (except UW-Madison). The competition teaches cutting-edge lean startup business development tools, provides business mentorship and allows participants to compete at a state level for a chance to win seed funding for their idea.

Why should you compete?

In addition to potentially winning a cash prize student participants can:

  • Fine-tune their business pitch.
  • Showcase their business to a statewide audience.
  • Engage with seasoned business professionals and entrepreneurs.

The top presenters will also receive:

  • Support from the WiSys Entrepreneurship Program--a concierge service to connect statewide resources and partners for further idea/business development.
  • Access to the Center for Technology Commercialization programming.
  • Opportunity to participate in the Wisconsin Technology Council's Entrepreneurs' Conference
Ask Organizers A Question

How do you participate?

You have two ways to enter the Wisconsin Big Idea Tournament:

  1. Win a local qualifier event, if one is hosted by your university. Find your local qualifier event.
      
  2. Submit an at-large. At-large bids allow teams, who do not have access to a local qualifier, to participate in the tournament or enable teams, who did not win their qualifier, to have a second chance.
Submit an at-large bid

April 22, 2023
10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
UW-Whitewater, Hyland Hall
809 West Starin Road
Event Details

Attendee RSVP

Quick Links

​Prizes

First: $2,500
Second: $1,500
Third place: $750