Swinburne Venture Cup Evaluation Criteria

A good Business Plan must show a clear understanding of its components and should address the assumptions on which it is based; are these assumptions reasonable; what risks are involved and how they will be managed. Some of these components will be:

Executive Summary

Your Executive Summary needs to be clear, engaging, exciting and effective as a stand-alone overview of your Business Plan and must succinctly, ’state your case’. The summary should begin your Business Plan (although it should be written last since it summarizes the entire Plan), be two - three pages in length and should capture the attention and interest of the reader. It should concisely report on why and what you are communicating and the background and development of your project. It should also describe your methodologies and your rationale for using them; your analysis and the results of the analysis; your recommendations and conclusions. The Executive Summary is literally written for Executives who may not have time to read an entire Report and therefore should be clear, logical; well organized and precise since decisions may be made based on this summary.

Company Overview

The Company overview should describe the nature and purpose of the business, the origin of the concept, the current status and the overall strategies and objectives

Products or Services

Describes the features of the products or service the Company offers, the potential markets and benefits, pricing, current stage of development and its perceived proprietary position

Market and Marketing Strategies

These strategies will describe:

markets
competitive analysis
needs identification
market acceptance
unique capabilities
sales/promotion plans and projections
general economics of the business

Operations

The operations of the business should include the

plans for production
delivery of the product or service
product costs
margins
operating complexities
resources required

Management

The Management components of the Business Plan must articulate clearly:

the background of key individuals,
ability to execute strategy
Personnel needs
Organisational structure
Role of any non-student executive
Which students will execute plan

Financial Plan

The Financial Plan should be presented in summary form and clearly communicate salient financial information. It must be consistent with the overall plan and forecast the financial performance of the Company. It should be monthly for year 1, quarterly for years 2-3, annually for years 4-5.

The main components should include:

Cash Flow Statement
Income Statement
Balance Sheet
Funds Required / Uses
Assumptions/Trends/Comparatives

The Financial Plan should also outline what is being offered to key stakeholders and investors and the terms proposed; how much investment is needed, the ROI, the structure of the deal and the possible exit strategies.

Important parameters for evaluation will be:

Whether the business idea presented appears to have a chance to be successful.
Whether the company has a potentially sustainable competitive advantage with its business idea.
Whether a venture capitalist (or business angel) likely to invest in this new business.

Is there a clear market need presented and how do you propose to capitalize and take advantage of that need? Describe the Company’s level of innovation and distinctive competence, which will provide the novelty and uniqueness that will give it a competitive advantage in its market.

Is the team likely to effectively develop this company and handle the risks associated with the venture?

Does the team have a solid understanding of the financial requirements of the business?

Does the business represent a real investment opportunity in which the judges would consider investing?

Judges may consider the team’s ability to:

Present a compelling case for the business idea.
Align the presentation with the written report.
Present the materials in clear, logical and/or sequential and interesting form.
Relate the perceived need for the company and its uniqueness with meaningful examples and practical applications.
Engage the judges’ interest.
Use quality Visual Aids.
Understand and respond to the judges’ questions.
Make effective use of the time allocated.
Ability to think effectively in the interview situation.

Based on an overall impression, judges will consider how opportunities to grow and develop the business will be maximized; the level of innovation and distinct opportunity and how relevant and projected market prospects will be exploited.

Assessment and evaluation will be based (approximately) on the following criteria:

1. Executive Summary / Overview of the Business Plan (20%)

2. Elements of the Business Plan (20%)

a. Company overview
b. Products and services
c. Market and marketing strategy
d. Management
e. Cash flow statements
f. Income statements
g. Balance sheets
h. Funds required / uses

3. Viability of Company (30%)

a. Market opportunity
b. Distinctive advantage
c. Management capability
d. Financial understanding

4. Presentation (30%)