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2008 University of Hawaii Business Plan Competition

Executive Summary Policies & Guidelines

All entries must be submitted in two formats by 5:00 pm on February 13, 2009

  • ONE file as an e-mail attachment to pace@hawaii.edu
    • File must be no more than 2MB and preferably in PDF format
  • ONE hard copy to the PACE Office BusAd E-301 2404 Maile Way Honolulu, HI 96822
    • Mailed copies must be postmarked by February 13, 2009
    • Hand-delivered copies should arrive before 5:00 pm
  • Refer to timeline for additional deadlines
  • View sample executive summaries from previous competitors on the resources page.

Executive Summary Guidelines

  1. Cover Sheet
    1. Team Name
    2. Business Name
    3. Names of all team members
  2. Executive Summary
    1. 4-6 pages (8.5"x11") double-spaced
    2. Font size no smaller than 12pt
    3. Margins of at least 1 inch on all sides
    4. See the following Judging Criteria for content
  3. Competition Agreement Form
    1. Teams must also complete and submit the Competition Agreement Form with their executive summary
  4. Proof of Student Status
    1. A copy of a valid student ID card or receipt of registration are acceptable forms of proof

10 Things to Cover for an Effective Executive Summary

  1. Objective:
    1. What is your objective, what are you after?
  2. Mission:
    1. A short "elevator" pitch that describes your company in a couple of sentences.
    2. Who you are? What is your product/service?
    3. How will you reach your market (business model)?
    4. When will the return on investment be realized (exit strategy)?
  3. Value Proposition:
    1. What is the problem you are solving?
    2. What is the market opportunity, how big, what evidence do you have of strong demand?
  4. Solution/Benefits:
    1. What is your solution to the problem?
    2. How will your customer benefit?
  5. Technology/Intellectual Property:
    1. What strengths does your team have?
    2. What patents on products or methods make your idea a better mousetrap?
  6. Competition/Competitive Advantage:
    1. Show why you are better than other providers. What barriers to entry will you construct?
  7. Success Metrics:
    1. What milestones will you meet that demonstrate progress in achieving your objective?
    2. How does your business scale?
    3. What are comparable companies doing?
    4. What valuation do you give your company?
    5. What are your key financial assumptions?
  8. Team:
    1. Who are your key team members and why do you have what it takes to implement the plan and achieve your goal?
  9. Why you?
    1. Why is your business going to make it?
    2. What are the risks and how will you mitigate those risks?
  10. Exit Strategy:
    1. How much money do you need?
    2. What have you done with the money you've spent so far?
    3. How are you going to use the dollars that you intend to raise?

Executive Summary Judging Criteria

  • Overall Appeal of the Plan (10%)
    1. Does the team express a compelling "vision" for the new venture?
    2. Does the team show enthusiasm and commitment for the new venture?
    3. Does the plan come together as something greater than the sum of its parts?
  • Attractiveness of the Market Opportunity (20%)
    1. How large is the market and how fast is it growing?
    2. Can you be a “significant player” in this market?
    3. What long-run rate of profitability do you expect to see in this market?
  • Value Created by the New Product or Service (20%)
    1. What is the new and unique value of the proposed product/service?
    2. Is there a clear customer need being satisfied?
    3. How important is this product/service to the customer?
    4. Has the team developed a prototype or working description of the product/service?
    5. Has the team gone out to the market to test receptiveness of potential customers?
  • Competitive Advantage of the Proposed Venture (20%)
    1. How will the proposed product/service be positioned in relation to competitors?
    2. Can this product/service achieve a leadership position in its market?
    3. From your current stage of development, how long will it take you to get to market?
    4. Will the proposed venture be favorably positioned in the distribution channel?
  • Operational and Technological Viability (10%)
    • How will the proposed venture produce and distribute the product/service?
    • How will operational obstacles (if any) be overcome?
    • What technology and/or other intellectual property (if any), is essential to the success of this venture?
    • How will rights to the property be secured?
    • How much will the property cost to develop and/or secure? How long will it take to develop the property?
  • Capability of the Management Team (10%)
    • Have team members demonstrated leadership and initiative in other aspects of their life?
    • What specific management capability is required for the venture?
    • What relevant skills do the team members possess? What roles will the current team members play?
    • How will gaps in the management team be filled?
  • Capital Requirements and Financial Forecast (10%)
    • What type and amount of capital investment is required?
    • Is the investment required all at once or can it be “staged-in” over time?
    • Where will the investment capital come from?
    • What is the proposed ownership structure of the venture?
    • What is the investment exit-strategy?
    • How long will it take the venture to be financially self-supporting (cash-flow positive)?
    • How will the venture be financed until then?
    • What is the expected return on investment?
    • When is the investment expected to become liquid?