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The University of Dayton Business Plan Competition. Our EP Application has two parts:. The EP content fills one page single spaced. More Elevator Pitch Content Start-up costs and time to launch Resources Required Returns an Investor can Expect Tag Line.
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Our EP Application has two parts: The EP content fills one page single spaced More Elevator Pitch Content Start-up costs and time to launch Resources Required Returns an Investor can Expect Tag Line “Character counts” include spaces & punctuation • Demographic Information • Elevator Pitch Content • Title • Introduction • Problem Statement • Opportunity • Business Model
Demographics • Is mostly the contact information for each member of the team • We assume the 1st person listed will be the presenter when we create the presentation list of names (doesn’t have to be) • We then ask for the other members, later in the application.
Content : 1 Title of the Business Plan (100 characters) • It is better to give a one sentence description of the business than the name of the proposed business • Ideal: fitting both into one sentence • Example: • DePilla’s Sugar Free Spaghetti Sauce: targeting the diabetic market (only 68 characters) • Needle Free—Glucose monitoring without the pinprick, using Laser technology
Introduction (500 characters) • A great place to tell a story that highlights either the problem (especially its severity) • A good story makes the problem seem very real • In 2009, Comfort Care Bra’s entry discussed the founder’s status as a two time breast cancer patient: her story was very compelling, and caught the judge’s attention.
Content 3: Problem Statement(500 Characters) • Be Specific: What problem are you trying to solve? • How common is the problem? (Demographic data helps here) • How serious is the problem (inconvenience to life threatening). • What is wrong with the 2-3 most commonly-used solutions? • What is your target market, and how easy is it to reach them?
Content 4: The Opportunity (750 Characters) • This is where you describe your idea to solve the problem • Give the judges enough that they can figure it out • Here is where you reveal the “secret sauce” that makes your idea a winner • Any protection from competitors is described here. • How big could this be in 3-5 years?
Content 5: The Business Model (part 2 of Opportunity, 500 characters) • Some people use this space to continue discussing their Opportunity. • Beyond that, use this space to discuss how your business will operate. What will you do vs. outsourcing? • How will you generate revenue (e.g. sales vs. leasing vs. advertising vs. subscription, etc.) • Do you have a growth model (replicate vs. scale, vs. roll-up vs. roll-out)
Content 6: Start-up Costs & time to launch (500 Characters) • The judges want to see just enough information that they know you are not naive about your business, and that what you propose is achievable • What are the key costs for start-up ? • What would typical rent/utilities costs you? • How many people do you need to hire immediately? • Summarizing information helps!
Content 7: Resources Required of an Investor (500 Characters) • Primarily you are summing up how much money you need to launch this venture. Judges want to see how realistic are your numbers • Indicate what resources you and other founders can bring to the table, and their value • Assume you would be willing to give up anywhere from 20-30% of the equity in your business in exchange for getting fully funded
Content 8: What returns can an investor expect? (500 Characters) • Start by describing potential sales within 3-5 years, and express them in both dollars and market share. • Indicate in which year you turn profitable, and cover your cash costs • Indicate potential profits in your last year of forecasts above, in both dollars and profit margins (Gross and net) • Explain how investors will get paid • Provide the judges with an ‘X” multiple of their return
Content 9: Tag Line (100 Characters) • Here is where you “hook” the judge with a clever line that leaves them feeling good about your entry. Work you business title in if possible (okay if it doesn’t fit in). • Examples • “DePilla Sugar-Free Spaghetti Sauce: Where the sauce is the boss” • “SilverStar Jewelry: More Bling for the Buck” • “Windy cars: Your gas troubles are gone with the wind” • No More needles needed! Glucose monitoring without a pin prick”