Procedures
Eight to ten Finalists will be selected from among the online submissions. Finalists will be notified via email by Tuesday, April 21. At the finals, teams will deliver a 3-minute PowerPoint presentation to a panel of judges, followed by 3-5 minutes of Q&A.
In the application you will be asked to identify your category (personal or venture business). We will award prizes in both categories. Venture Enterprises are scalable, capital intensive, with a large market. Personal Businesses have limited markets and typcally do not need venture capital to reach full potential.
New Energy Business Competition
Apply at www.Back-Offices.com/energy
Same criteria as Business Plan Competition, but must also serve one of the following purposes:
- Increase energy efficiency of a common process or product
- Create energy by means other than fossil fuels
- Improve the efficiency of any energy production method
JUDGING CRITERIA for Presentation at Finals
1. PROBLEM: Solves a real problem; there is strong customer pain or desire
2. SOLUTION: Superior or cheaper than alternatives, or serves new market niche
3. TARGET MARKET: Clearly defined; adequate size to support business
4. MANAGEMENT: Knowledgeable about industry; Convincing
5. FINANCE: It's clear how the company will make money
6. FUNDING: It's clear how much the company needs to launch or grow. (If company does not require funding at this time, it may have an alternate need, such as customers or talent.)
