The University of Dayton Business Plan Competition

Our EP Application has two parts: Demographic Information Elevator Pitch Content – Title – Introduction – Problem Statement – Opportunity – Business Model 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

Demographics Is mostly the contact information for each member of the team We assume the 1 st 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”