The Louisiana Tech TOP DAWG Business Plan Competition

2009-2010

What is the purpose of the Business Plan Competition?

The Association of Business, Engineering and Science Entrepreneurs (ABESE), is presenting the 2009-2010 Louisiana Tech Business Plan Competition to foster interdisciplinary interaction, entrepreneurship, and innovation, among students at Louisiana Tech University.  Students enrolled in any Louisiana Tech college are encouraged to form teams, brainstorm new business ideas or innovations, and compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to present their ideas to a group of interested potential investors. 

Who is eligible to compete?

The TOP TEN winning teams that competed in the 2009 TOP DAWG Idea Pitch are eligible to compete in the 2009-2010 TOP DAWG Business Plan Competition. Undergraduate, graduate students and recent alumni (within one year of graduation) may participate. Faculty members are not eligible to participate on the team. The number of members per team is limited to two to six members.  In order to have a stronger team, it is recommended, but not mandatory, that at least two different disciplines be represented on each team. Teams must not have started business operations as of January 1, 2009, or received funding beyond seed stage as of January 1, 2009. A student is not allowed to participate on more than one team.

Are there criteria for the type of business which may be planned?

“For Profit or Not For Profit” business plans that include significant innovation in either a service or product offering typically score higher in the competition.  The innovation itself is NOT required to be the product.  For example, the innovation may enhance the delivery or availability of a particular product or service. All submitted businesses must be legal under Federal or State of Louisiana statutes and any other applicable law.

• Completed business plans are due no later than February 8, 2010 for judging. 

When and by whom will the final submitted business plans be judged?

A committee consisting of experienced external business professionals will be the official judges for the competition.  The final round of judging will take place on February 19, 2010. 

The TOP DAWG Business Plan Competition will be the birthplace of many innovative business enterprises which actually begin operations in Louisiana.  Accordingly, in addition to receiving cash prizes and in-kind support, the selected winners will have the opportunity to present their business plans before groups of outside, prospective investors.    

What Pre-Competition Support and Mentoring will be available?

The following individuals will be available to advise and consult with all teams during the preparation process:

Deborah Inman
Coordinator of Entrepreneurial Studies
Louisiana Tech University
debinman@cab.latech.edu

Dr. Mark Barker
Lecturer of Mechanical Engineering
Louisiana Tech University
mbarker@latech.edu

Richard Kordal
Director of Intellectual Property and Commercialization
Louisiana Tech University
rkordal@latech.edu

Mentors for teams include:
Dr. Andrea Drake: adrake@latech.edu
Dr. Son Le: sle@latech.edu
Dr. Davy Norris: dnorris@latech.edu
Dr. Jon Pratt: jpratt@latech.edu
Ms. Carol Shaver: cshaver@latech.edu
Ms. Kathy Wyatt: kwyatt@latech.edu

There are many sources available on the web and in libraries which provide models for preparing business plans.  The Louisiana Tech Prescott Memorial Library has a special display containing business planning books/resources and a business planning resource webpage.  

Beta Alpha Psi tutors are available for accounting consultations. Session times TBA.

The Resource Page on the ABESE website has useful marketing research information. http://www.abese.org/Resources.htm

What are the Guidelines for Submission of the Final Business Plan?

Plans should not contain more than 25 pages.  A sample business plan outline is shown below.  Incomplete submissions will be disqualified without exception.

Click to see outline format.

What are the criteria by which the plans will be judged?

In general, plans will be judged with respect to three areas of importance:

1)      How clearly the business idea and proposed plan of implementation is presented (within the guidelines set forth) and the attention given to detail, short run, as well as long run.

2)      The extent to which the idea or product is unique and innovative in nature and the amount of cooperation and input from various disciplines employed in the development of the idea and the plan.

3)      The viability, feasibility and potential profitability (both in terms of return on investment and absolute magnitude of return) of the plan. ALL FOR PROFIT VENTURES MUST BE SEEKING OUTSIDE EQUITY CAPITAL.

Thanks for your interest in Louisiana Tech’s Top Dawg Business Plan Competition, presented by ABESE.  Good luck with your innovative enterprise and may the best plan win!

Schedule for 2009-2010 TOP DAWG Business Plan Competition