About Wisconsin YES!

Patterned after the statewide Governor’s Business Plan Contest, Wisconsin YES! (Youth Entrepreneurs in Science) is produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council, with major sponsorship from WEA Trust. The Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority is also a sponsor.

Wisconsin YES! partners include STEM Forward, Project Lead the Way Wisconsin, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Make a Difference Wisconsin, Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers and Wisconsin Association of School Boards.

The mission of Wisconsin YES! is to help young people learn how science and technology innovations can be developed into solid business plans. Wisconsin students, from middle school to 12th grade, are eligible to enter individually or in small teams.

Building a more entrepreneurial and tech-savvy workforce is a challenge not only for Wisconsin, but the United States as a whole as the nation struggles to produce a globally competitive pool of workers. One example is the emerging gap between jobs in the IT sector and the number of anticipated graduates in that field. By 2021, according to the Be Bold 2 report, there will be a deficit of nearly 12,000 unfilled IT jobs in Wisconsin.

This multi-stage, primarily online contest will help middle- and/or high-school students to better envision careers in science and technology, and especially where those disciplines intersect with the creation and growth of businesses.

Competition Timeline

Eligibility Requirements & Submission Guidelines

Ownership, Confidentiality & Security

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do you have to have a science-based business or idea to enter the contest?
A: No, your business idea does not have to be science-based, but it does have to use technology.

Q: Does my business idea have to be a real business?
A: No, your business idea does not have to be a real business, but participating in Wisconsin YES! will help you learn important aspects of creating a business if you wanted to make that idea a reality.

Q: How many business ideas can I submit?
A: Students may enter multiple ideas, so long as each idea is separate and distinct.

Q: Can I submit a business idea from my Start Your Own Business Class or DECA Chapter?
A: Yes, business ideas can be submitted from classes or extra-curricular clubs and organizations so long as the ideas are original and originated from the person applying to participate in the contest.