Evaluation & Judging Criteria

Business plans cannot exceed 40 pages in length – including financial projections. 

Judging Criteria

Judges will consist of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, investors, and professional service providers experienced in the entrepreneurial process.

Judges will evaluate the written plans prior to the competition. Judges will again evaluate plans based on the oral presentation by each team. The evaluation of the written plan will focus on the feasibility of the proposed venture as a business opportunity.  The evaluation of the oral presentation will score the teams aptitude for acquiring an investment. 

Both evaluations utilize a point scoring system that will assist the judges in determining the winner. The point scoring system is used ONLY as a GUIDE for the judges. The final decision is not necessarily based on the number of points scored but rather on the judges' qualitative evaluation of the plan’s entire business model and consultations with each other during their deliberation session following the presentations. The evaluation forms to be used in judging are available here. 

Critical evaluation criteria used by judges will include: expectation of significant growth, attractiveness of the return on investment, and actual implementation.  While use of outside capital, either equity or debt, is not essential, plans for businesses with significant growth potential will be preferred to lifestyle businesses. 

Evaluation Forms

1)  Business Plan Evaluation Form – Written Plan PDF