As part of this experience, participants will enhance their Seattle University learning experience, gain feedback on ideas, develop networks, be encouraged to participate in the UW’s northwest invitational business plan competition, and expose their ideas to potential investors.

Are there cash awards?

Yes. The Grand Prize winner will walk away with $10,000! Please see below for all award categories and prizes.

Final Round
$10,000 Grand Prize
$ 2,500 Runner-up Prize
$ 1,250 Prize for two remaining finalists

Other awards
$2,500 Small Business Award
$2,500 Social Enterprise Award
$250 Community Choice Trade Show

Note: While not expected, please note that cash prizes and prize categories are subject to change and will not be confirmed until Winter term 2010.

Who can participate?

Any enrolled Seattle University students or Seattle University alumni can participate in the competition (see Rules & Eligibility for details). A team participating in the competition can consist of one or more contestants and can include non-students. However, there must be at least one SU student or alumnus on each team. We encourage all participants to take advantage of all the resources provided, mentors, prep sessions, etc.

How is Seattle University’s Business Plan Competition Organized?

There are three major parts to the competition:
1. The Screening Round is the initial review of business plans that determines which teams will be moving ahead to the Trade Show/Elevator Pitch Round. Approximately 15-20 teams are chosen to progress to the next round. You can find sample business plans and other valuable resources on our Business Plan Competition ANGEL page.

2. The Trade Show/Elevator Pitch Round is divided into two distinct parts:

Part 1: The Trade Show is a giant fair where teams have a space in the Student Center to set up a display and present their business idea. You may have a total of four members of your team, including the student/alumni member, working your booth.

Teams are scored by two constituents:
1. Trade Show judges. Trade Show judges are pre-selected judges chosen by the Entrepreneurship Center who visit the booths and select a minimum of three teams they feel have the best business idea and presentation.

2. Community Choice judges. Community Choice judges consist of fellow students, friends, and other members of the community who visit the displays and then vote on their favorite business ideas and presentations. They may vote for one to five business ideas and presentations.

Part 2: The Elevator Pitch Round consists of a three minute pitch of the team’s business plan, presented by the active SU student or SU alum, in front of a panel of judges. Two minutes are also given for a question and answer session. During the Trade Show, each team will designate one member (student or alum) to give their three-minute Elevator Pitch. While absent from the Trade Show giving your Elevator Pitch, be sure to have a back-up person manning your Trade Show booth. If you are the only person on your team, it is possible to engage up to two other non-team individuals to help with the booth and make presentations to Trade Show and Community Choice judges.

The combined results of the Trade Show scores, given by the Community Choice judges and the official Trade Show judges, as well as the scores from the Elevator Pitch Round and Screening Round, will narrow the field down to the final teams that will continue to the Final Presentation Round.

3. The Final Presentation Round is where the final teams present their complete business plan to a panel of judges.

Normally, four teams will proceed to the Final Presentation round (exceptions to this number may be made based on the quality of business plans submitted). The Final Presentations focus on the complete business plan where teams present their plans to a group of judges and field questions. Presentations are open to investors, Seattle University faculty, staff, alumni, students, and Seattle University friends. Teams will give a maximum 15-minute presentation followed by 10 minutes of questions and answers. The judges will meet after the presentations to make final award decisions. Winners will not be announced until the Awards Reception. The presenters will receive feedback from the judges in written form and mentoring within a week after their presentations.

The finalist teams will receive special coaching sessions prior to their final presentations. If teams choose to revise their final plan before the coaching session, the business plan will be due back three days prior to the coaching session to give the coaches time to review it. After the coaching sessions, the final business plans will be due at least six days prior to the Final Presentations. The finalist teams will also be required to create a Power Point presentation for the Final Presentation.

Business Plan Competition Rules & Eligibility

Teams must comply with the following criteria to be eligible for the competition. Please read carefully! (NOTE: We have done our best to align our rules with the UW 2010 Business Plan Competition rules so contestants can participate in both competitions with the same material. However, please be aware there may be slight differences. See bottom of page for details).

1.The Seattle University Business Plan Competition is limited to teams that include active SU students or alumni as defined below:

Seattle University students enrolled either full-time or part-time in degree programs during one or more of the following academic periods: Summer 2009, Fall 2009, Winter 2010, or Spring 2010 at Seattle University.
Seattle University alumni who have graduated from SU prior to the Summer 2009 academic period.

2. Non-student business professionals are allowed as team members, but there must be a Seattle University student or alum on the team.

3. The business plan must be developed during the current school year and the student/alumnus must have played a major role in writing the plan.

4. Working with outside entrepreneurs with existing businesses/business ideas is permissible but as noted in #3 above, the student/alumnus must write the plan.

5. Total company revenues cannot exceed $500K (for existing businesses without a business plan).

6. In the Trade Show Round, no more than four team members, including both students/alumni and nonstudents, may present their business concept to the judges at their booth.

7. In the final presentation round of the competition, only students or alumni will present.

8. The Director of the Entrepreneurship Center reserves the right to make the final determination of the appropriateness of submitted business ventures. Not all prizes may be awarded depending on the quality of submissions.

Note: University of Washington 2010 Business Plan Competition has the additional qualifications:

1. Students must have an ownership stake in the business or the potential for equity or employment.

2. Only student team members are eligible to win prize money. No payments will be made to non-students.

3. Alumni are not allowed to participate as the key member of the team. Each team must have a current student.

4. While we try to be consistent, there may be different judging criteria for business plans between UW and SU.

Confidentiality

The Seattle University Business Plan Competition considers all submitted business plans as confidential and treats all team matters accordingly. But, due to the nature of the event, we cannot guarantee complete confidentiality for proprietary matters. Seattle University, The Entrepreneurship Center, the Albers School of Business and Economics, and the organizers of the competition are not responsible for any proprietary information and/or intellectual property included in a submitted business plan.

Ultimately, protection of sensitive materials such as intellectual property, copyright, or patent confidentiality is the sole responsibility of the individual or team participating in the competition. Non-Disclosure Agreements will not be signed by judges, mentors, or any SU staff associated with the business plan competition, so please do not ask.

Seattle University Business Plan Competition Dates to Remember

February 1, 2010
Intent to Enter due by 12:00p.m.
Intent to Enter form

March 1, 2010
Executive Summary (5-7 pages) due by e-mail to eshelmak@seattleu.edu.
While the executive summary will not be judged, it is your official submission to the Business Plan Competition.

March 10, 2010
Tradeshow Prep Session
5:00-6:00pm Student Center 160. Gain valuable insight on how to survive and thrive at the Tradeshow. This session is mandatory for all Tradeshow participants.

March 25, 2010
The Screening Round begins. Complete business plan (12-15 pages with additional 3-5 pages for appendix allowed) due by noon by e-mail to eshelmak@seattleu.edu.
The complete business plan will be reviewed by a panel of judges and will determine whether you will continue on to the Trade Show/Elevator Pitch Round.

March 31, 2010
Judges' critiques of complete business plans returned.
These critiques will be returned to you electronically. Confirmation of participation in Trade Show/Elevator Pitch Round is required at this time if your team is moving ahead.
Results will be posted by April 5th.

April 8, 2010
Electronic copy of a one-page business summary due (must be submitted to eshelmak@seattleu.edu by 12:00p.m.)

See UW template for a business summary example (called ‘Executive Summary’ on the UW website); however in mission statement for Seattle University competition, be sure to include the values driving the organization.

April 13, 2010
Trade Show
11:00a.m.-2:00p.m. at Student Center 160. The Trade Show is open to the Seattle University community. Setup can begin at 10:00a.m. Be ready to go by 11:00am!

April 13, 2010
Elevator Pitch Round
11:00a.m.-2:00p.m. at Student Center 130

April 19^th-30^th, 2010

Coaching sessions for teams advancing to the final round. These mandatory sessions are generally two hours per team and will be scheduled in the last two weeks of April.

April 16, 2010
Notification to Trade Show/Elevator Pitch Round participants of who will be going on to the finals.

May 3, 2010
Deadline to submit complete revised business plan (12-15 pages with up to 5 additional pages for appendix allowed).
Submit electronic copy as attachment due to eshelmak@seattleu.edu by 12:00p.m.

May 12, 2010
Final Presentations
1:30-4:00 p.m.
Campion Ballroom

May 12, 2010
Final Tradeshow/Award Reception
4:00-6:00p.m.
Campion Ballroom
We will be announcing the business plan competition final awards at this reception. This is also a great time to get feedback from the judges! All contestants, regardless of how far you advance in the competition, are encouraged to attend.

Business Plan Competition Prep Speaker Series

January 19, 2010 – MARKETING STRATEGY: John Browne will discuss how marketing plays an integral role in your business plan. Pigott 202 1:30pm

January 19 2010 – MARKETING STRATEGY: John Browne will discuss how marketing plays an integral role in your business plan. Pigott 305 6:00pm

January 21, 2010 – BUSINESS PLAN DEVELOPMENT: Chris Porter will give tips on how to create a successful business plan. Pigott 200 3:45pm

January 25, 2010 – ORAL PRESENTATION SKILLS: Dave Underhill will discuss strategies to successfully craft a short oral presentation for your business plan. Pigott 304 6:00pm

January 26, 2010 – FINANCE: Chuck Porter will discuss developing the financial section of business plans. Pigott 202 1:30pm

January 26, 2010 – FINANCE: Chuck Porter will discuss developing the financial section of business plans. Pigott 305 6:00pm

February 2, 2010 – LAW: Michelle Bomberger will discuss important legal issues that all entrepreneurs need to know when starting a new venture Pigott 200 3:45pm

February 4, 2010 – BUSINESS PLAN DEVELOPMENT: Chris Porter will give tips on how to create a successful business plan. Pigott 305 6:00pm

February 11, 2010 – LAW: Harvey Braverman will discuss important legal topics that all entrepreneurs need to know when starting a new venture. Pigott 305 6:00pm

February 11, 2010 – ORAL PRESENTATION SKILLS: May McCarthy will discuss strategies to successfully craft a short oral presentation for your business plan. Pigott 200 3:45pm

Definitions

Social Entrepreneurship (SE) is a fairly new term that is being applied to organizational creation or growth that takes into account serving the social needs of society beyond the typical profit maximization orientation. The basic structure of a SE firm can be either a for-profit or a non-profit business. In a SE, different types of social issues such as poverty, self-sufficient energy sources, social justice, and sustainability become central to the mission of the organization in addition to meeting profit or growth goals for long term survivability. The triple bottom line factors of people, profit, and planet are combined with social issues to broaden the relevance to stakeholders who seek to have organizations take on greater responsibility for solving social problems and providing a sustainable, non-governmental force for the betterment of society. To qualify for the Social Entrepreneurship Award, the business plan would not only address the way in which social issues are part of the mission of the proposed organization, it would demonstrate the commitment to making a significant contribution toward society’s needs beyond the operational profitability or revenue generation of the firm.

A Triple Bottom Line organization holds itself to measurements that not only involve turning a profit and doing social good, it commits itself to a sustainability model which measures the impact on people, profit, and planet. It is committed to not leaving the world worse off as a result of it having done business--not depleting resources, people, or the environment--making those aspects better off, if possible. It makes very clear that it must make "profit" in order to effectively deliver on its mission in the long run. An example of a Triple Bottom Line organization is Starbucks, which clearly states the three areas in its mission statement.

A Corporate Entrepreneur venture is a business within a business. It is a new venture that will be its own profit center within an existing organization. A corporate entrepreneur venture can be for profit or nonprofit. An example would be Boeing starting a surf boarding manufacturing operation using one of the materials it has developed previously for building airplanes.

Resources

Also, be sure to check out the UW's Business Plan Competition website:
http://www.foster.washington.edu/centers/cie/businessplancompetition/Pages/BPC.aspx

AACSB Accredited | Albers is accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. As of June 2008, less than five percent of the world’s business schools and less than one third of U.S. business schools have achieved business accreditation from AACSB.

Seattle University Links

Albers School of
Business and Economics
901 12th Avenue
P.O. Box 222000
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 296-5700