Fowler Business Concept Challenge

Submission Instructions
Submit your Cover Letter + 5-page Submission to fowler@stthomas.edu by the deadline listed on
the competition schedule.
In the subject line please include your Team ID#. DO NOT include your name or teammates
names in the submission portion, only your Team ID#.
The top sixteen submissions in each of the undergraduate and graduate divisions will be
designated as semifinalists.

Judging Criteria
Judging Criteria (Venture Track) Preliminary Submissions
Preliminary submissions will be judged by a reviewer panel using the following criteria (equally
weighted):

Originality (business idea is new, novel, unique)

Clear and compelling value proposition (legitimate, recognized need; appropriate solution)

Competitive advantage (creates more value for customer than alternative solutions)

Market opportunity (adequate market size; viable business model)

Feasibility (reasonable prospect of funding and successful implementation)

Judging Criteria (Venture Track) Finalist Submissions

Final submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges using the following criteria:

Business Idea (67%)

Originality (business idea is new, novel, unique)

Clear and compelling value proposition (legitimate, recognized need; appropriate

solution)

Competitive advantage (creates more value for customer than alternative solutions)

Market opportunity (adequate market size; viable business model)

Feasibility (reasonable prospect of funding and successful implementation)

Presentation (33%)

Presentation materials (clear, comprehensive, logical flow)

Delivery (clear, compelling, persuasive)

Q&A (answered judges questions directly, clearly, effectively)

Time management (effective use of allotted time)

Fowler Business Concept Challenge

Submission Instructions

Social Venture Judging Criteria

Judging Criteria (Social Venture Track) Preliminary Submissions
Preliminary submissions will be judged by a reviewer panel using the following criteria (equally
weighted):

Originality (social venture idea is new, novel, unique)

Clear and compelling Social Value Proposition (Clear articulation of specific need the social
product or service fulfills; who is helped; how are they helped)

Compelling advantage (Solution is superior to current offerings)

Social impact (Size of population served potential to impact significant number of people; Business
generates social benefit above and beyond current state)
Feasibility (Viable business model that does not continue to depend on donations; scalable; clearly
articulates attractiveness for future investors/donors)

Judging Criteria (Social Venture Track) Finalist Submissions

Final submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges using the following criteria:
Business Idea (67%)

Originality (social venture idea is new, novel, unique)

Clear and compelling Social Value Proposition (Clear articulation of specific need the social product or
service fulfills; who is helped; how are they helped)
Compelling advantage (Solution is superior to current offerings)
Social impact (Size of population served potential to impact significant number of people; Business
generates social benefit above and beyond current state)
Feasibility (Viable business model that does not continue to depend on donations; scalable; clearly
articulates attractiveness for future investors/donors)

Presentation (33%)

Presentation materials (clear, comprehensive, logical flow)

Delivery (clear, compelling, persuasive)

Q&A (answered judges questions directly, clearly, effectively)

Time management (effective use of allotted time)

Fowler Business Concept Challenge

Submission Instructions

Submission Requirements
Please provide a brief description of your business idea following the five questions outlined below.
Your submission can be a maximum of 5 pages, double-spaced, 11 point type. The cover letter is not
included in the submission page count.
1. A concise description of the proposed business and why it is unique/compelling.

2. Target Market who is your customer? What customer problem will you solve? How does your
customer solve that problem today? What other solutions will compete for that customer?

3. Market Opportunity a preliminary estimate of the size of the potential market (number of
customers that can be reasonably addressed).

4. Proposed Solution what is your product or service? How will it solve the problem? How will your
solution create exceptional value for the customer?

5. Business Model how will you generate revenues and profits?

Fowler Business Concept Challenge

Submission Instructions

Sample Cover Letter for submission to Fowler Business Concept Challenge

Project Title

Team ID#

Division Entered (Grad or Undergrad)

Note if you would like to be considered for the social
venture division

Student ID #s DO NOT PUT THE STUDENTS NAMES

I/we attest to the originality of the work submitted.

Do not include team members names in the document

Fowler Business Concept Challenge

Submission Instructions