WiSys Technology Foundation has partnered with the UW-Extension to expand and enhance the Wisconsin Big Idea Tournament (WBIT), a UW System student entrepreneurship competition. The new partnership will build on the success of WBIT while using WiSys' connections to the regional comprehensive campuses across the UW System, as well as the two-year colleges, to grow the competition in years to come.

What will stay the same

Campus leaders will continue to be a valued partner in the process of recruiting teams and encouraging student participation, as well as hosting campus "qualifying competitions" to select teams to compete in the state finals. Students who advance to the WBIT will receive cutting-edge Lean Startup business development tools and training, including access to industry mentors, and will have the opportunity to compete in the International Business Model Competition (IBMC) for a $25,000 prize.

What's new

WiSys will use its connection with UW System campuses through the Regional Associate and Ambassador programs to establish a broader reach, get more campuses involved and encourage more students to participate. Once students are selected at the campus level, they are automatically opted into a non-funded Ideadvance cohort to provide specialized training. Students will have more time and access for training after campus competitions and before the statewide competition, allowing them to better prepare for WBIT and IBMC.