Gonzaga University

Criteria

Gonzaga University
Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program
2007-2008 Business Plan Competition

In collaboration with:
Eastern Washington University, Center for Entrepreneurial Activities
Whitworth University, School of Global Commerce and Management

Business Plan Competition Criteria*
For Student-Generated Idea and Community-Based Plan Categories

These criteria will be used to evaluate the overall quality of your business concept and business plan. 

Management Team - With existing expertise, does this team have the skills to execute their plan?  Does this team have experience in starting and running a new venture?  Sensing weaknesses in skills and experience, has the team provided the new venture with expertise in the form of advisors/mentors that have the experience in starting and running a similar firm?

Market Opportunity - Has the team clearly articulated a market opportunity?  Does the plan clearly state the value proposition?  Has the management team demonstrated that they understand the competitive and regulatory environment and other key trends and circumstances that can affect the success of the new venture? (risk)

Competitive Strategy - Does the plan clearly state the new ventures competitive advantage?

Go to Market Strategy - Has the management team clearly identified its customers?  Does the plan clearly identify a sales strategy?

Traction - Has the management team made any progress toward any milestones?

Financials - Are the financial projections realistic and consistent with the plan?  Are funding needs and use clearly stated?  Is there a clear way for investors/owners to realize a return on invested capital?

Overall Impression - Is the plan articulate, void of grammatical and spelling errors, formatted well, and indicative of a collaborative effort as evidenced by consistency in thought and word? 

*Your business plan concept must be compatible with the missions of Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University, and Whitworth University.  Your plan will be disqualified if, in the judgment of the Hogan Program Director and the Business Plan Review Panel, it does not meet this test.

Business Plan Competition Criteria*
For Social Enterprise category

These criteria will be used to evaluate the overall quality of your business concept and business plan. 

Management Team - With existing expertise, does this team have the skills to execute their plan?  Does this team have experience in starting and running a new venture?  Sensing weaknesses in skills and experience, has the team provided the new venture with expertise in the form of advisors/mentors that have the experience in starting and running a similar firm?

Market Opportunity - Has the team clearly articulated a community opportunity?  Does the plan clearly state the value proposition?  Has the management team demonstrated that they understand the competitive and regulatory environment and other key trends and circumstances that can affect the success of the new venture? (risk)

Marketing Strategy and Forecast - Does the plan clearly state the new organization’s strategic advantage?

Go to Market Strategy - Has the management team clearly identified the community members it will serve?  Does the plan clearly identify a method to promote and deliver forecasted service(s)?

Traction - Has the management team made any progress toward any milestones?

Financials - Are the financial projections realistic and consistent with the plan?  Are funding needs and use clearly stated?  Is there a clear way for community investors to realize a community return?

Social Return on Investment - What is the financial return or savings to the community?  What jobs will be created as a result of the entity?  Does the organization fit the community?

Overall Impression - Is the plan articulate, void of grammatical and spelling errors, formatted well, and indicative of a collaborative effort as evidenced by consistency in thought and word?

*Your business plan concept must be compatible with the missions of Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University, and Whitworth University.  Your plan will be disqualified if, in the judgment of the Hogan Program Director and the Business Plan Review Panel, it does not meet this test.