INLAND EMPIRE
BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION 2009-2010

A collaboration of:

Gonzaga University, Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program
Eastern Washington University, Center for Entrepreneurial Activities
Whitworth University, School of Global Commerce and Management

The Executive Summary should include the following elements:

For Student-Generated and Community-Based Plans:
Overview – tell what you do
Market – identify the opportunity (problem or need) and its size
Solution – describe your product or service and relate it to the opportunity
Challenges – identify key competitors, market trends, regulations
Advantages – identify your special strengths (i.e. intellectual property, management, first to market)
Financial Data – summarize revenue, earnings, cash-flow & break-even forecast
ROI  – identify needed capital and projected return to investors, including social return

For Social Enterprise Plans:
Overview – tell what you do
Market – identify the opportunity (problem or need) and its size
Solution – describe your service and how it solves the problem or need
Challenges – identify key alternatives, social trends, regulations, local support
Advantages – identify your special strengths (i.e. alliances, management, uniqueness)
Financial Data – summarize need, source and use of funding
SROI & ROI – quantify the Social (and possible economic) Return on Investment

The Business Plan will be evaluated in the judging round based on:
1.  How thoroughly are each of the following categories researched and presented?
Overview –
Market –
Solution –
Challenges –
Advantages –
Financial Data –
SROI & ROI –
(see Executive Summary above for further description of each element )
2.  How logical are the plan’s conclusions and assumptions?
3.  How well is the plan written; is it clear and concise?
4.  Does the plan provide adequate information to determine potential for success?
5.  Is the return to investors and the social return to stakeholders attractive?
6.  Does the plan present a compelling argument for launching the enterprise?

The Presentations in the judging round will evaluated on:
1.  How well does the presentation address the key elements of the plan?
2.  What is the overall quality of the presentation (i.e. delivery, flow, visuals)?
3.  Does the presentation inspire confidence in management’s knowledge and ability?
4.  Do the presenters display passion and commitment to their plan?
5.  How well are questions and objections handled?
6.  Does the presentation contain a compelling argument for launching the business?