[Overview | Format
| History | FAQ]
Entry Submission and Deadlines
STAGE I (Executive Summary): CLOSED
All applications must be e-mailed to africaconference@wharton.upenn.edu
by Friday August 6, 2004 5:00pm (Eastern time). The format of the
email will be as follows:
TO: africaconference@wharton.upenn.edu
SUBJECT: Africa Business Plan Stage I
BODY:
- Name of company
- Primary Contact
- Full Address of Company/Primary Contact
- Phone number
- Email address
- Attached, typed Executive Summary of business (maximum of 1000 words)
NOTE: No existing businesses are eligible for this competition. Also, previously entered plans should not be presented.
STAGE II: (Full Business Plan): OPEN
Stage II will open Friday August 27, 2004 and close Tuesday September 28, 2004 5:00pm (Eastern Time). All Stage II applications must be received at africaconference@wharton.upenn.edu by Tuesday September 28, 2004 5:00pm (Eastern Time). The format of the email will be as follows:
TO: africaconference@wharton.upenn.edu
SUBJECT: Africa Business Plan Stage II
BODY:
- Name of company
- Primary Contact
- Full Address of Company/Primary Contact
- Phone number
- Email address
A. Executive summary
Clear, succinct and holistic overview of the venture
B. Company, products and services
Detail of the product/service offerings, stating features, benefits and underling technologies/processes. Also state current stage of development, proprietary position, etc. Briefly state the target market.
C. Customer and market analysis
Describe and justify the attractiveness of the targeted market segment. Where necessary, provide details of the current market size and projected growth rate of the market.
D. Marketing plan
Detail the pricing, promotion and distribution strategy.
E. Competitor analysis
Dimension the key competitors. Analyze their competitive advantages. Detail the dynamics of their competitive responses and your counter-responses.
F. Strategy analysis
Justify the overall business strategy. Also detail the operational and tactical strategy. Explain your competitive advantages and defend your ability to sustain these advantages in the long-term.
G. Management and organization
Provide background information on the key individuals, including education and professional experiences. Also provide a summary of staffing requirements and the proposed organizational chart of the proposed venture.
H. Key risks
Articulate the key risks that impact the proposed venture. Detail the planned risk management plans. Provide information on the contingency plans and exit strategy.
I. Financial section
Summarize the financial plan - quarterly for years 1 to 2; annually for years 3 to 5.
J. Milestone
Present a realistic schedule of events using a detailed Gantt chart and/or any other desired project management presentation format. Clearly identify pre and post launch events; key R&D launches and harvest strategy.
Questions you should ask your self during the business plan writing process:
- Is it concise?
- Does it flow logically?
- Do the facts lead to a conclusion?
- Is the plan credible?
- Is the plan sustainable?
- Is the plan 50 pages or less with minimal redundancy?
STAGE III: (Business Plan Presentation)
Stage III will be in Philadelphia on November 20 2004, where all finalists will be required to present and defend their business plans before an audience of venture capitalist and investment consultants.
The presentation will be 15 minutes in length followed by an additional 10-15 minutes of questions posed by the panelists. Presentation format is PowerPoint.
