Competing teams should consist of at least one and no more than three undergraduate degree-seeking students who are enrolled part-time (minimum of six credit hours) or full-time at a UW System school (except UW-Madison) in the semester of the Wisconsin Big Idea Tournament (spring semester). Graduate teams interested in applying for the International Business Model Competition at-large category must be degree-seeking and enrolled part-time during one semester of the academic year the competition takes place.
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls
Community Resources
UWRF Innovation Challenge
Have a big idea? Undergraduate and graduate students can explore the possibility of turning their business ideas into reality utilizing the Lean Startup Methodology.
Competition Basics
Student teams select a faculty mentor or use Sheri Marnell, the leader of the competition and register for the competition here. We will teach you about how to utilize the required Business Model Canvas. Teams will prepare a 6-minute presentation covering their business idea and their utilization of the Business Model Canvas. For examples of these presentations, view the past winners here. Watch the video below to learn more about the Business Model Canvas and associated Lean Startup Model.
For more information, see the Student Orientation Packet
Frequently Asked Questions
How many members can I have on my team?
Can international students visiting the UWRF campus participate?
Yes, international students are eligible to participate if they are enrolled as an undergraduate with a minimum of six credits in the spring semester.
Must ALL members of the team be enrolled part-time during the spring semester to compete in the Wisconsin Big Idea Tournament?
Non-undergraduate students (or graduates) may be part of the venture but cannot participate in the state or international competition (e.g., pitching, Q&A, etc.). The eligibility requirement is any student participating in the state or international finals needs to be an undergraduate enrolled in a minimum of six credits in the spring semester. In general, a member of the student team should be CEO, COO or president of the venture, or members of the student team should occupy 50 percent or more of the functional area management positions that report directly to the CEO, COO or president.
Can you discuss any concerns regarding intellectual property rights?
Participants own the IP (Intellectual Property) and can disclose to WiSys or file for a patent on their own if they want. We don't require anyone to sign an NDA or non-compete to participate. This defeats the purpose of this type of format and is becoming a standard practice for accelerators and angels/venture capitalists. At the center of what participants are going to be judged on at the State Final is Lean Startup and customer development which shouldn't require dissemination of proprietary information. Participants should instead be focused on telling their learning journey and how they validated (or invalidated and pivoted) the elements of their business model.
What is Lean Startup and the Business Model Canvas?
Check out these resources for more information on this topic.
Can I see an example of a past winner's work?
How can I find a mentor?
You can connect with Sheri Marnell if you need assistance finding a mentor.
What if I have an idea but don't want to work on it alone?
We will assist you in finding additional team members if needed. Additionally, feel free to network at the Ideathon event to find other students that may be interested.
Prizes and Awards
University of Wisconsin River Falls Competition
1st place = $2,000
2nd place = $1,000
3rd Place = $500
Wisconsin Big Idea Competition (UW-RF 1st place automatically goes to this event, At-Large options for other groups)
1st place = $2,500
2nd place = $1,500
3rd Place = $750
Business stipends must be used for activities or supplies directly related to starting or growing the business idea entered in the competitions.
Additional Incentives
• UW-RF 1st place winner is entered into the Wisconsin Big Idea Competition with opportunity to have travel paid for.
• Access to Lean Business Model Startup and other workshops
• Feedback from entrepreneurs and regional business leaders serving as competition judges
• Opportunity to present your business idea to the UWRF Foundation Board for additional funding considerations if applicable.
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