EP/SII $60,000 Entrepreneurship Competition

Student teams compete for over $60,000 in cash prizes and in-kind services. Two rounds of judging are held and the top six teams will be selected to present their ventures publicly at Brown University on the day of the competition. 

This year, the Social Innovation Initiative (SII) and the Entrepreneurship Program at Brown have partnered together to create a two-track competition. For more information about the social venture track and to view the judging criteria visit the SII website and to apply contact sii.grants@gmail.com.

Judging Criteria for the EP Business Track

Style and Presentation: The PowerPoint slides and the associated dialogue (20–30% of the weight of the score)

Substance: (70%-80% - to be distributed evenly between the Sections, V and VI should be combined for scoring)
Important assertions must be justified and proved; There needs to be evidence to back-up the information given in the presentation (substantiate claims made)

I. Executive Summary
Value Proposition
- Clear description of product/service
- The judges should determine whether or not the team has identified a significant problem or market need and whether they have found a viable solution
- The solution must be unique and innovative and it must meet the need

II. Marketing and Research
- Target Client
- Research must substantiate the need and measure how the product fits the need
- Highlight bottom-up research when defining the needs that were met by the product and top-down research
- Includes a Market Analysis/Segmentation
- Competitive analysis/Environment
- Launch Plans/Marketing

III. Business Model
- Where the project fits in the supply chain/process
- Predicted revenues/ earnings model
- Manufacturing or Operational plan for services to be provided (include location and specifics)

IV. Financials
- Start up costs
- Breakeven analysis
- Cash Flow
- Can be in graphical form
- Cost analysis can be based on industry norms/standards
- Predicted returns to investors

V. Team
- Description of the executive team and advisors

VI. Status Update