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RECOMMENDED FORMAT
Guidelines for business plans is as follows:
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Up to ten pages of text plus up to 5 additional pages of tables, exhibits, figures and appendices. Nothing beyond these page limitations are allowed. The contact sheet is required and is NOT counted in the ten-page limitation.
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Plans should be SINGLE-SPACED with not less than 1" margins on all sides.
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Use a font not smaller than 12 points in size for text, and not smaller than 8 point font for spreadsheets. Font should be either Times New Roman or Arial.
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The header should include the business or company name/title in the right corner and the footer should state: "University of Maryland Business Plan Competition - Spring 2007"
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Entries must be submitted ELECTRONICALLY by e-mail no later than March 18, 2008.
Business Plan Format
- Cover/ title page
Table of contents, illustrations, figure
Executive summary
- Elevator pitch (one "quickie" sentence each)
- Product (i.e., describe the business concept / opportunity) Value proposition Target market
- Competitive advantage
Product, process, or new business model
Target market
- Customers Value proposition Competitors
- Competitive advantage
Company mini-history
Business model
- Revenue projections
- Profit projections
Any prior funding? - Funding needed and potential return for investors
Products or Services
- Understandable brief technical description Value Proposition (Specific human needs addressed) Intellectual property protection
- Possible future products
Market
- Industry
- Growth? Size? Segments
- Entry barriers
Target Markets
Customers
- Buying power Buying preferences
- Present and future
Competitor Matrix
- Competitive advantage
Company
- Vision, mission, & values The management team Advisors and board members
- History / stage
Marketing and Sales Plan
- Marketing strategy Sales plan
- Goals
- Bottom up sales projection
Promotion
Pricing - Distribution Channels
Organization Plan (Implementation)
- Legal structure Organization structure Management needs
Staff needs Motivation / Compensation
- Other HR
Operations Plan (Implementation)
- Technology status
Manufacturing requirements
- Supply chain issues
Growth Plan
- Growth strategies Product Development
- R & D Plan Spin Offs Benchmarks or milestones Staffing Resources needed
- Difficulties and risks
Other internal strategies - External Development?
Contingency Plan / Critical Risks
- Environment Markets
Products
- IP persistence
- Competitive threats
Operations
- Limited experience
- Cost overruns
- Organization / Management
- Dependence on key people
- Limited experience
Financial Plan
- Pro forma statements (2-3-yr; complete cash flow)
- Burn Rate / Breakeven Point
- Investment proposal
- Investment needed Sources and uses of funds
- Investors return
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Resources for writing your business plan:
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