"Providing more individuals with the actual experience of participating in the design and creation of a new firm is the #1 goal behind iStart. Learning about the theory of entrepreneurship is nice but actually working through the details of a business plan – which is the experience you receive in participating in an iStart competition will provide individuals with the experience and confidence and feedback to determine if they too can become an entrepreneur."

Lesa Mitchell

Vice President, Kauffman Foundation

"Business plan competitions provide a friendly simulation of the hostile reality in raising funds, where multiple companies with smart people are competing for investor’s money. These events provide entrepreneurs with constructive criticism from investors and successful entrepreneurs on the judging panel, and they learn from the fellow participants. Competitions taught me to relay all key aspects of my business plan in 5 minutes, including problem, solution, opportunity, market, competition, revenue model, milestones, financial projections, and exit.

Business plan competitions strengthened my presentation of long-term financial projections and strategic planning, including operations, cash flow and personnel. A key value of these events is in the network of business executives and successful entrepreneurs associated with them, many of whom today regularly provide me with advice and new introductions."

Ankit Agarwal

Post-doctoral Researcher, University of Wisconsin-Madison