We invite you to submit your business plans to the 2011 EP Business Plan Competition!
In the spirit of Brown entrepreneurship (and to maximize the use of our limited resources), this year both social and commercial ventures will be judged side by side, according to the same criteria.
The deadline for submissions is 11:59 PM on April 19, 2011
Please send your business plans in .pdf format to ep@brown.edu
The final round of the competition will take place on the morning of April 30, 2011. All final round contestants will then have the opportunity to pitch their ventures at our 14th annual EP Forum, and the results will be announced at the conclusion of the event that afternoon.
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Format
- Both commercial and social ventures will be judged according to the same criteria, posted below
- A panel of qualified judges will review all first round submissions electronically. Their scores will be used to determine the finalists who will go on to compete at the live, final round event
- Six to eight finalists will be selected from the first-round submissions
- A different group of judges will read, hear, and rate the finalists’ plans and oral presentations the day of the final round.
- 10% of final round scoring will be determined by audience vote after all teams have presented at the final round. Once the audience vote has been tallied, it will be combined with the judges’ scoring before assigning prizes and winners.
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Eligibility
To compete in the Brown Entrepreneurship Program’s Business Plan Competition, each entrant must meet the following criteria:
Team
- All teams must have at least one, currently enrolled, Brown student (may be an undergraduate, graduate, or medical student)
- No participant in the competition may join more than one team
Business Plan
- All information provided must be true and accurate to the knowledge of the entrant
- No submission may violate intellectual property rights
- Participants may not contact any judge of the business plan competition between the first-round submission deadline and the end of the final round of the competition.
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Judging Criteria
Potential Scope / Impact (50%)
What is the magnitude of the problem that the venture addresses,
and how well does the solution match the scope of the problem?
1. Opportunity (5.0 pts)
- Scope of the problem – how compelling is the need being addressed?
- Size of the addressable market (scale of the social problem)
- Uniqueness and viability of the proposed solution
2. Market Knowledge (5.0 pts)
- Evidence of research into the need – includes data to support the case for the need, data to support adoption)
- Demonstrated knowledge of target market
- Extensive research and understanding of the competition
3. Concept Development (5.0 pts)
- Feasibility of the solution
- Viability of the business model proposed to deliver the solution
- Scalability in terms of the potential for growth or replication of the venture
Success Potential (50%)
Given the team’s business plan and presentation, how likely is the venture to succeed?
4. Viability and Sustainability (5.0 pts)
- Overall likelihood of achieving demonstrable results
- The potential for the venture to receive financial support from additional investors/donors (including opportunities for funding from foundations, social venture funds, angel investors and venture capitalists)
- In the case financial descriptions (pro forma financials or cash flow analysis) are provided, the financials are realistic and well grounded in the need and market analysis, as well as adoption research
5. Management Team / Presentation (5.0 pts)
- Strength of the venture’s management team, including the team’s depth of knowledge, network and experience
- Polished presentation that displays the team’s preparation
- Demonstrated leadership ability and cohesiveness of team
6. Dedication and Vision (5.0 pts)
- Commitment of the team to continue work on the venture and realize its goals
- Passion for entrepreneurship and commitment to Brown’s entrepreneurial community – has the team participated in EP/SII activities, peer critique?
- Evidence of previous work and commitment to the project (in terms of support network, fundraising, development)
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Sponsors
We would like to thank our sponsors and donors for their contributions of cash prizes and in-kind services to the competition. Without them this competition and the support it provides for student entrepreneurs would not be possible.
A special thank you to our corporate sponsor, Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp. Please click on the logo below to learn more about their product offerings.
