National InnovationCompetition 2009

Business Plan Template

Note: Entrants MUST make use of the National Innovation Competition 2009 Business Plan Guidelines as reference when completing this template

General

►Business Plans are to be typed using an Arial font (size 10), full justified with 1.5 line-spacing. Section headings may be in Arial size 12 bold font.

►Number all pages as Page X (where X put page number) of Y (where Y put total number of pages).

►Keep the title as brief as possible.

►The maximum number of pages allowed is 10 (excluding the Cover Page, the Table of Content, and Appendices).

►Business Plan Exceeding the 10-page limit will be disqualified.

►The Business Plan must be inMSWord or PDF format only.

Content of the Business Plan

(the numbers listed below are heading numbers only and do not indicate page numbers)

  1. Cover Page
  2. Executive Summary
  3. Table of Contents
  4. Product/Service description
  5. Market
  6. Market analysis
  7. Marketing strategy
  8. Team / Individual
  9. Operational plan and budget
  10. Risks

1. COVER PAGE

National Innovation Competition 2009

Business Plan Title:

Contact details of the Team Leader

Title:

Name:

Surname:

University/Technikon:

Telephone number:

Cell number:

Fax number:

E-mail address:

Postal address:

Physical address:

Alternative Contact for the team

Title:

Name:

Surname:

University/Technikon:

Telephone number:

Cell number:

Fax number:

E-mail address:

Postal address:

Physical address:

Names (if applicable) of Team Members:

Name of University/Technikon entrant/s are registered at:

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

(maximum 1page)

The Objectives

Description of the product / service / process

Marketing Strategy / Product Commercialisation

Financial implications

3. TABLE OF CONTENTS

(should not exceed 1 page)

4. DESCRIPTION OF YOUR IDEA/INVENTION/INNOVATION

(maximum 4 pages)

The idea in this section is to describe fully:

  • What is the problem or need that has led to your product/service
  • How do you fulfill this need or solve this problem with your product
  • Who are your competitors and how do you compare
  • What is to stop others doing the same thing
  • What is the production cost and sale price

5. Market

(2 pages)

5.1 Market analysis

Who are all the potential people out there who could buy your product? Can you put them into various groupings, or market segments? What is the purchasing criteria for each group.

5.2 Marketing strategy

Which group of people are you going to target and how? Explain why you have chosen the strategy you have, and how you plan to expand in the future. What are the associated costs with your marketing strategy?

6. TEAM / INDIVIDUAL

(maximum 2 pages if a team, maximum 1 page if an individual)

Every business rises on falls because of the management team.

  • Clearly indicate the various team members’ contribution to the project/business plan and the relevant experience they have.
  • The person that will ‘lead’ the project/business plan and his/her experience or qualifications.
  • This section should include details of all team members involved. Information required:

Title:

Name:

Surname:

Citizenship:

ID Number:

Responsibility in the project/business plan:

  1. ENVISAGED BUDGET

(maximum 1 page.)

You will need to generate a cash flow forecast to produce the numbers you require. Just put the summary in this section.

8. RISKS

(maximum 1 page)

Strengths / Weaknesses
Opportunities / Threats

Weaknesses:

Threats:

Critical Success Factors:

Alternative Scenarios:

Conclusion:

1

National Innovation Competition 2009

Business Plan Template