Entrepreneurship

Your paper should start with:

An Introduction (Usually a short executive summary)

But after that…

The exact sequence for your paper has many options. Some folks use the Problem….Solution format. Some use the 5 elements in sequence. Others use a very functional approach typified by traditional old-time business plans (Marketing, Finance, Operations, etc).

Your plan should contain no more than 12 pages in the main body. This doesn’t include graphics (e.g. pie charts) nor special tables. If the table is text heavy, it’s half the count. Don’t be tacky about making everything a table, but use it sensibly.

You can put detailed financials and magic number calculations into the appendix. No matter how you tell your story, tou should have material that covers the details of the 5 elements.

1. Unique Product or Service – This might require a sketch of the actual product, especially if it’s an engineering or software product. If it’s a restaurant, a possible layout should be included to help us visualize your intent.

2. Customer - Psychographics and Demographics of target customer segments. Explain how this segment has a pain tha is solved by your company.

3. Reaching the Customer – Marketing plan

4. Making money – Includes Startup Cost and ROI, Breakeven metrics, Summary Cash Flow statement, and eventual profitability. Don’t kill us with details in the main text. If you have a franchising or other unique model, then you can partly explain how it will make financial sense.

5. Team - Who are you? Who will you need to recruit? How will you recruit?

You may conclude not with a plea for money, but rather with something that relates to your spark.

….but…your paper should start with….

An Introduction (Usually a short executive summary)

If you want to reserve first and prepare your table, the doors to the North Creek Event Center opens:  Tuesday, March 9 –  4pm;  Thursday, March 11 – 3pm

Tables are arranged around the room. You should claim your table: first come, first served. These are folding tables that measure at 6 feet x 2.4 feet. As long as it’s legal and safe, you have a lot of latitude regarding your table display.  You should not have your displays impinge onto your neighbor’s area.

Each presenter on your team must be enrolled in the class with the following exceptions: 1) one-person teams can bring one person from outside to help present; 2) the facebook team is only allowed to use 4-persons to present.

Non-presenters can help with manipulating demos or presentations or inserting material into the presenter hands. The non-presenters must not speak to the audience.  Non-presenters must not disrupt other teams.

All presenters must stay in the area near their table (except for restroom breaks). They must not stray into another person’s area. This is promote gentle conduct between teams.

If you need electrical power, be sure to bring an extension cord and perhaps a “power bar”. We’ll need to share outlets.

Note change: No voice amplification allowed.

You may “market” hell night and your team through social media or company websites. You may post comments at the Hell Night Facebook page.

With the instructor’s permission, you may make announcements at classes and pass handouts that drive students to your booth. It should not include detailed business plan information. You can use a slogan, logo, and brief one-paragraph description or enticement.

You may pass handouts to hell night visitors anywhere on campus EXCEPT in the the North Creek Event Center until the event begins. If the visitors want to know more, you can say: “My professor has forbidden us to talk about it until the event starts but we’re the best. Come visit our booth at the North Creek Event Center and you’ll see why.”  The optimal place to catch visitors is at the stairs near the North Creek Ctr or on the walkway along UW1.

On Thursday, the visitors will normally be given small envelopes with a set amount of play money. Some of the investors will be given large (5″ x 8″) envelopes that contain much more cash. A very special small group will have abnormal amounts of play money (up to 20x): their envelopes will have color stickers on it.

After the tradeshow ends, your team should place all its money into the provided envelope and hand it to an adviser or alum (e.g. Adina, Mike, George, Richard, Abbie, Dan). You should then feel free to network with the audience until the program starts.