Wisconsin’s Governor’s third business-plan contest kicks off – entrepreneurs – quite likely hundreds of them – will vie for recognition and a $100,000 pot.

The Wisconsin Technology Council is taking applications for the 2006 governor’s business-plan contest, in which entrepreneurs – quite likely hundreds of them – will vie for recognition and a $100,000 pot.

The last two years’ grand-prize winners have been life-science companies, but finalists are also chosen in advanced manufacturing, business services and information technology.

All 2004 and 2005 finalists are still in business and more than half have received financing, according to Tech Council statistics. The application period closes on January 31, 2006.