| Business Plan Project 1. Each student must complete a substantial business plan project as a major requirement of this course. The project can be completed individually or in small teams of two or three persons. If small teams are used, a peer evaluation form will be used to assess individual contribution. The project should begin about the third or fourth week of class and last throughout the semester. A one page proposal is due October 2 stating who you will work with and what business you will be planning. 2. The business that you choose to plan must meet the following requirements. It must be based on a new innovation as discussed in Leveraging the Horizon. It may be a nonexistant venture that you are planning or it may be a new product being launched from your current company. It must be technology based (i.e. no Taco stands). Otherwise, you are free to choose and propose what you want. Ideally you will have a technical background in the area of the proposed venture. 3. The research process should be based on the 99 forms in Abrams. You should fill these forms out for your venture throughout the semester (but don't turn them in). Your plan should incorporate the principles taught in the course. 4. "Business Planning Practicals" will be held throughout the course. These are interactive working sessions where the class works on a business plan topic related to the current course materials and to one or more of the companies being researched by students for their projects. They are intense oral discussions designed to provoke thought on how to structure the business or plan, research the topic and make good decisions. The practicals will be held every two weeks during the first 10 weeks of the term and then for two full class periods at the end of the term. Student participation is an important component of the grade for the business plan project as discussed below. 5. The deliverablles are as follows, due on the last day of class: a. A 20-30 page business plan for you or your group based on the standards in Abrams. b. The plan must include the elements in the evaluation list below as a minimum. c. A ten chart presentation and an oral delivery by your team. d. If you worked in a group, a peer evaluation form must be submitted by each of you. The numerous examples of business plan sections throughout Abrams are examples of the standards expected for the business plan project submission at the end of the term. Ther is no required specific format. That is to be chosen by you or your team. 6. Your presentation on the last day of class may not exceed 15 minutes or 10 viewgraphs. You will be evaluated on whether or not your pitch would be likely to attract funding. 7. Evaluation of the Business Plan Project. This is worth 50 points allocated as follows for your team. Your individual scores will vary +/- 50% based on the peer evaluation form and class participation during business plan practicals. Presentation (charts and oral) 10 points Executive Summary 10 points Company Overview, Product or Service, Management Team 10 points Market Analysis, Marketing & Sales Plan, Competition 10 points Financial Plan 10 points Link back to New Technical Ventures Course |