OVERVIEW FOR HOT SEAT:

Founders Forum is proud to announce our latest signature event –The Hot Seat. The objective of The Hot Seatis to provide a brave few contestants the opportunity to pitch their business concepts to a group of successfulentrepreneurs–all in front of a live audience and all with the real prospect of attracting investors.

Selected contestants will give a5-minute presentation answering these questions:
How do you define your business model?

What need(s) will meet in the market?

How is it differentiated from similar current offerings?

Why is it economically viable?

Selected contestants will receive:

  1. The ultimate stage to put their concept and their presenting tactics to the test
  2. The qualified feedback of seasoned entrepreneurs and investors
  3. The opportunity to attract interested investors

But before you can become a contestant, you have to be selected based on strength of your submission.

GENERAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

□Due by April 1 at 5:00 p.m.

□Submit this form as a document of no more than 4 pages total at

□Must be 10 pt font, utilizing this entire application template

□Submit as a .pdf file

□You can attach additional slides – a maximum of 4 – that expand on the following strategic points:

  1. Product (How it will be differentiated in the market)
  2. Customer (Who & why)
  3. Channel (what avenue will be used to reach the targeted segments)
  4. Competition (What are your sources of competitive advantage)

□Please do not include any proprietary information on your application

Submissions outside of above guidelines will not be accepted.

Applicant Name / Business Name

Describe in DETAIL what your business or product is. What does it do? Provide as much detail as possible.

What investment amount are you seeking, and what percentage of equity are you willing to give in exchange? Please keep in mind that the sharks do not give their money away; they only make realistic investments. They will ask tough questions to justify the amount of money you are seeking.

What do you intend to do with the investment funds? Where will the money go?

What is your unique selling proposition? What is your “hook,” and why is your business notable?

Please describe your market, your niche, and the demand for your business’s product or service.

What attempts have you made to build your business? Have you been successful?