The annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest is once again open for entries and will be until 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, 2014.

The mission of the contest is “to encourage entrepreneurs in the seed, startup and early growth stages of high-tech businesses in Wisconsin,” according to a release. To accomplish this, the contest provides entrepreneurs a network of resources to develop business ideas, along with cash and in-kind prizes.

Categories are Advanced Manufacturing, Business Services, Information Technology and Life Sciencies. The contest began in 2004 and has since received more than 2,600 entries and $1.7 million in cash and services.

The 2014 competition will take place in four stages, to be narrowed down to the “Diligent Dozen” on June 3 at the Alliant Energy Center.

NitricGen, developer of a portable device for treating diabetic foot ulcers, was the 2013 winner.