TIC Americas – Introduction TIC Americas is an international competition and award program for young entrepreneurs that focuses on the preparation and implementation of business plans. TIC Americas differentiates itself from other existing Business Plan Competitions by incorporating a prototype phase, training, investment, internships, among other opportunities at a global scale.

TIC Americas Focus Priority Sectors Teams comprised of young people from OAS Member States and internationally are invited to submit business plans according to the following Rules and Terms of Reference in the following four sectors. Trade – To encourage the exchange of goods and services in the AmericasTrade – To encourage the exchange of goods and services in the Americas Tourism – To promote the development of the tourisms industry, including cultureTourism – To promote the development of the tourisms industry, including culture Agribusiness – To utilize the region’s agricultural capacity to create economic growthAgribusiness – To utilize the region’s agricultural capacity to create economic growth Technology – To increase the Americas technological capabilities and infrastructure.Technology – To increase the Americas technological capabilities and infrastructure.

TIC Americas Contestants Men and women between the ages of 15 and 35 may be part of a team in the 2007 TIC Americas. All team members (excluding mentors) must not be more than 35 years of age prior to 11:59 pm of December 31, Proof of age will be required for winners.Men and women between the ages of 15 and 35 may be part of a team in the 2007 TIC Americas. All team members (excluding mentors) must not be more than 35 years of age prior to 11:59 pm of December 31, Proof of age will be required for winners. Contestants must be citizens or legal residents of the country they are representing and be legally authorized to start and operate a business in that country.Contestants must be citizens or legal residents of the country they are representing and be legally authorized to start and operate a business in that country. YABT staff, Board of Directors, and sponsors’ immediate family members are not eligible to participate.YABT staff, Board of Directors, and sponsors’ immediate family members are not eligible to participate.

TIC Americas Teams TIC Teams must include a minimum of three members with the following: Chief Executive OfficerChief Executive Officer Chief Financial OfficerChief Financial Officer Chief Technical OfficerChief Technical Officer

TIC Americas Mentors A Team can have one or two mentors.A Team can have one or two mentors. There is no restriction of mentors’ age, education, or experience.There is no restriction of mentors’ age, education, or experience. Mentors can be part of only one TeamMentors can be part of only one Team Mentors participate on a voluntary basis and will not be paid by the Team or YABT / TIC Americas. Universities or the larger business community may contribute volunteers.Mentors participate on a voluntary basis and will not be paid by the Team or YABT / TIC Americas. Universities or the larger business community may contribute volunteers.

TIC Americas Who can be a mentor? University or other educational or instructional personnelUniversity or other educational or instructional personnel Private sector representatives, e.g., Chambers of Commerce and business associations.Private sector representatives, e.g., Chambers of Commerce and business associations. Experienced business managers and technical or business expertsExperienced business managers and technical or business experts Successful young entrepreneurs.Successful young entrepreneurs. Any adult meeting the criteria set out for mentors in these Rules.Any adult meeting the criteria set out for mentors in these Rules. YABT Staff, Board of Directors, or immediate family members may not serve as mentors.YABT Staff, Board of Directors, or immediate family members may not serve as mentors.

TIC Americas What mentors do? Answer questions or help find persons who can.Answer questions or help find persons who can. Provide industry and functional experience in the technical area of the business or its operationsProvide industry and functional experience in the technical area of the business or its operations Help teams focus on tasks, meet schedules, organize their time,Help teams focus on tasks, meet schedules, organize their time, Criticize, identify deficiencies, and recommend improvements in the business planCriticize, identify deficiencies, and recommend improvements in the business plan Evaluate a team's presentation during rehearsals.Evaluate a team's presentation during rehearsals.

TIC Americas Awards Spirit of Entrepreneurship Presented to the team that best exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit in the creation of a business attitude, team work, initiative, persistency, resourcefulness, overcoming personal or environmental obstacles. Social Entrepreneurship Presented to the team that best combines young entrepreneur business innovation and acumen with social actions and responsibility to create lasting change that positively impact the community, ;locally, nationally, or internationally.

TIC Americas Awards Business Process Presented to the team that develops or adapts and uses a new or improved business process in developing their business or offering their product or service New Markets Presented to the tram that whose product or service enters previously untapped d territories or creates new demand or satisfies an existent one in a different way

TIC Americas Awards Tradition and Culture Presented to the team that builds on or integrates traditional knowledge or technologies into today’s processes, products or services. Creative Design Presented to the team whose business process, promotion, website, or other aspect of design features characteristics that are unique and graphically new or interesting E-Business The team whose website presents the better system to carry on electronic operations, such as: selling of products/services, customer support, information delivery, etc.

TIC Americas Final Winners Prize Nominated CertificationPrize Nominated Certification IncubationIncubation Cash AwardCash Award InternshipsInternships Education OpportunitiesEducation Opportunities Technical ServicesTechnical Services In each category will be awarded:In each category will be awarded: Certificate as TIC Americas WinnerCertificate as TIC Americas Winner Opportunity to compete in the Global TIC in TaipeiOpportunity to compete in the Global TIC in Taipei Travel for one team representative to Taipei: including ticket round trip, accommodation, meals and local transportationTravel for one team representative to Taipei: including ticket round trip, accommodation, meals and local transportation Cash award - $5,000 / investment opportunityCash award - $5,000 / investment opportunity Opportunity to showcase project in an international arenaOpportunity to showcase project in an international arena Incubation services for one yearIncubation services for one year Internship opportunity at an international levelInternship opportunity at an international level

TIC Global Final Winners Prize Nominated CertificationPrize Nominated Certification IncubationIncubation Cash Award (15,000 USD)Cash Award (15,000 USD) InternshipsInternships Education OpportunitiesEducation Opportunities Technical ServicesTechnical Services

2006 October 15 – December 15 Registration Process Registration Process December 15 – January 14 Concept Paper Concept Paper 2007 Starts January 15, on-going Business Opportunity Online Training Camp (BOOTCamp) Business Opportunity Online Training Camp (BOOTCamp) Ends by March 15 Market Study, Prototype, and Website Market Study, Prototype, and Website April 1 Business Plan Presentation - Business Plan Presentation - April 2 - May 1 Online Semifinals, Business Plan Evaluation Online Semifinals, Business Plan Evaluation May 2 Announcement of Finalists Announcement of Finalists May 31 – June 2 TIC Americas Finals in Panama TIC Americas Finals in Panama Global TIC Preparation TIC Americas - Calendar

On-line Semi-Finals  Business Plan  Simulation Scenarios  Market Study / Prototype / Web site Finals in Panama City Finals in Panama City  Booth Exhibition  Prototype and Plan Presentation  Commercial Video  Semi-Finals Awards Presented  June 1: Finals Awards Presented TIC Americas Judging Criteria

TIC Americas Online Platform With the collaboration of MeWorks, YABT will develop the online platform for the Virtual Competition  With the collaboration of MeWorks, YABT will develop the online platform for the Virtual Competition  This platform serves as the main tool for communication between participants, mentors, and organizers, as well as for the online evaluation.  Furthermore, the DIY service of MeWorks will assist participants to create / build-up their companies’ website for the competition.

Roy L. Thomasson Director Ejecutivo Young Americas Business Trust Organización de los Estados Americanos 1889 F Street NW #753 Washington, DC USA Tel: Fax: Alianza para Jóvenes Empresarios en las Americas Alliance for Young Entrepreneeurs in the Americas