Finalists named in 2025 WI Governor’s Business Plan Contest

Finalists representing a wide range of Wisconsin’s tech-based sectors will present their ideas live in Madison on Wednesday, June 4, as part of the annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest. The event will take place at the Monona Terrace Community and Conference Center, immediately preceding the opening reception for the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference.

Now in its 21st year, the contest is produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council, along with partners and sponsors. This year’s competition began in January with 156 entries. After three rounds of judging, 13 finalists were selected to pitch their business ideas in a series of seven-minute presentations beginning at 3 p.m. on June 4. Winners will be announced the following day during the conference.

Entries were submitted across four categories: Advanced Manufacturing, Business Services, Information Technology and Life Sciences.

Advanced Manufacturing entries include a company turning dairy food waste into tagatose, a low-calorie sugar alternative approved by the FDA; a startup developing separators to boost performance in rechargeable metal ion batteries; and a firm offering real-time electrochemical soil sensors that monitor nitrate levels throughout the growing season.

Business Services plans include a water filtration startup using carbon-based filters to remove PFAS contaminants; a company offering clothing modifications to help people with mobility or dexterity challenges dress independently; and a mobile diagnostic device designed to detect swallowing disorders in underserved healthcare settings.

In the Information Technology category, finalists include a lead service line detection system that uses machine learning for EPA compliance; an automated platform for sales tax filing tailored to Shopify merchants; and an AI-driven code automation tool that enables bots to autonomously write and commit code.

Life Sciences entries include cell therapy support services for companies developing advanced treatments; a low-cost, patented medical coating for titanium implants; a new therapy targeting H. pylori, a common cause of ulcers and gastric cancer; and a nano-composite wound dressing designed to improve healing in chronic wounds. This category includes an additional finalist due to a tie.

Finalists submitted 15-minute video pitch decks for review by a panel of approximately 70 judges. The videos, which include details on the core product or service, customer base, market size, competitors, leadership team and financials, will factor into final scoring.

The 2025 finalists are:
Matt Campbell of BreezyFile (Rhinelander); Victor Santoro Fernandes of CellTrack (Madison); Hilary Pham of Equability (Madison); Jiajie Sui of FerroMX (Madison); Jarryd Featherman of Galasys (Janesville); Samuel Enerson of Induction Technologies (Madison); Ashwinraj Karthikeyan of Phoenix-Aid (Oshkosh); Kuan-Yu Chen of Saturn Agrisense (Madison); Steven Girard of Sea Change Silicides (Whitewater); RJ Pire of Service ID (Fitchburg); Kristin Isaac of Strudel AI (Madison); Sara Gustafson of SwallowEase Diagnostics (Waunakee); and Phil Huss of Synpha Biosciences Corporation (Madison).