1. MHRBPC http://www.marist.edu/mhrbpc/ Sponsored by:
Mid Hudson Regional Business Plan Competition hosted by Marist College April 7, 2017
MHRBPC
Sponsored by:

2. Regional Participants

3. Thank you for your hard work and support!
David Gavin, Marist College
Helene Rude, Marist College
Tina Cornell, Marist College
Melissa Smith, Marist College
Scott Willmen, Dutchess Community College
Donald Urmston, SUNY Orange
Lissa Young, United States Military Academy at West Point
Planning Committee

4. Eligibility Requirements
Open to all undergraduate and graduate students from accredited colleges in the Mid-Hudson region
Must have been enrolled during the academic year
Teams of 1-6 students
Must have a faculty or staff advisor; offering guidance, support and technical expertise
Ventures should fall into one of the following categories:
Clean Tech
Information technology/Software Development
Advanced Technology
Products
Services
Social/Non-Profit
Student teams will be asked to identify the category for their venture
Students may not participate on more than 1 team each year of the competition
Cumulative public and private capital raised may not exceed $100,000
Student ownership of the venture must be 100%

5. Prizes
Prize money will be awarded at the regional competition to the two top teams from each category
A maximum of two teams from each of the 6 categories will be invited to the statewide final competition held in Albany on Friday, April 28, 2017
What’s up for grabs at the state level?
Over $500,000 in cash and in kind prizes
Last year’s grand prize winning team took home $100K in cash and in-kind services
2016 Grand Prize Team

6. New York State Competition info

7. NYS Competition History

8. Since 2010, teams have competed; $2,300,000 has been awarded, over $5M has been raised by grand prize teams.

9. Additional Benefits
Ventures are able to showcase their business/technology to an audience of seasoned business professionals and investors
Network with potential investors, service providers, strategic partners, and seasoned executives
Network with other like-minded entrepreneurs from cross NYS
Gain valuable experience

10. 2017 timeline
Currently
Applications accepted for regional competition- teams should begin fine tuning their ideas. Regional Champions engage in outreach for participants and event sponsors
March 10, 2017
Application deadline
March 11, March 23, 2017
Committee externally evaluate applications
March 24, 2017
Notify regional teams selected to present
Teams work with mentors to refine pitch
April 3, 2017
Final presentations due
April 7, 2017
Regional Business Plan Competition
April 28, 2017
New York State Business Plan Competition

11. Judging
Judges at the business plan competition rate participating teams based on the following criteria:
Compelling Idea/Venture
Founders & Team
Pitch Quality
Judging rubric categories:
WHY YOU?  Does the individual or team have the ability, skills, and passion to implement this business, non-profit, or produce the product or service?  If this requires technology or production of a prototype, does someone on the team have the skill to do it?
WHO CARES? Is there a market locally, nationally, or internationally for this product or service?  If this is a social/nonprofit venture, is there a significant need begin met?  Have the students spoken with prospective customers?
SO WHAT? Does this team already have a venture in place and already operating?  If this is a product or service do they have a prototype or have they already started offering the service?
PRESENTATION and Q&A clear, concise and effective overview of the venture, product, or service.  Ability to succinctly respond to judges' inquiries and give substantive answers.
Look at the handout regarding judging criteria

12. Sample Format Company Name at the top of each slide
Mission and purpose
Business model
A. How will your business generate sustainable profits?
Value Proposition
Key strategies
B. Company history
When and why was the company formed?
What is the ownership structure; principal stakeholders
Product
Describe the product or service
Customer benefits
Differentiation from competitors
How to keep others out, barriers to entry (e.g. patents, proprietary process, competitive advantages, etc.)
Keep technical description to a minimum
Markets
Who are the key customers (Names, demographic profile, etc.)
Size of markets and growth rate
How to reach these markets
Other trends likely to influence market
People
Management team and relevant experience especially that which is related to start-ups
Industry experience
Other key people and advisors
Number, mix and capabilities of employees
Financial
Current sales/sales anticipated in 3 years (pricing and volume)
Margins
Relative to financing needs
How much is needed, and when
How will it be used
How it will be repaid to investors and/or debtors (if applicable)
Achievements to date
Important milestones
Next Steps

13. Case in Point: 2013 Grand Prize Team
WordsEye

14. 2014 1st Place Products & Services
KettleShell

15. Case in Point: 2015 Grand Prize Team UMA Bioseed

16. Final Case in Point One of the first grand prize winners