Start-Up Support Competition 2013: Business Proposal
<<COMPANY LOGO>>
(if available)
<<COMPANY NAME>>
BUSINESS PLAN
Prepared by:__________________
Date: ___________________
1.
Executive Summary (max 500 words)
Include a summary of your proposed business, to include (where applicable):
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About yourself, why you are setting up this business, your previous and/or
current working background
Your product or service and its advantages
Management team, (if larger than sole trader) and list your advisors if
applicable
Track record, if any
Employment projections
Milestones you anticipate over the next three years
This section should summarize what you have included throughout the rest of this
business proposal and should be completed at the end
Disclaimer: In compliance with Data Protection laws, the information submitted will be treated as confidential
and none of the details received will be passed onto any other organisation or used for any purposes other than
this competition.
2.
Company Description (max 1000 words)
A. Promoters and Shareholders
To include a description of the people involved in starting the business, including
management structure and areas of responsibility.
B. Products and services
Explain clearly what your product or service is and what it does, including but not
restricted to:
 Background to its development
 Benefits and Features
 Unique selling points
 Advantages to customers
 Disadvantages or weak points
 Future developments
C. Long Term Aim of the Business
State the long-term aim of the new business.
D. SWOT Analysis
Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the business and product or service, the
opportunities that exist in the marketplace, and the threats to the viability of the
project. You may find this matrix to be helpful:
Strengths
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Opportunities
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Weaknesses
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Threats
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Disclaimer: In compliance with Data Protection laws, the information submitted will be treated as confidential
and none of the details received will be passed onto any other organisation or used for any purposes other than
this competition.
3.
Market Analysis (max 1000 words)
This section covers market research and competitor analysis. Outline here what
market research you have done, demonstrating that there is a viable market and
demand for the business, and that you can have an advantage over the competition
in sales terms.
To include:
 Target Market Sector
 Target Audience
 Characteristics of potential customers
 Market trends
 Size of market if known
A. Profile of Competitors
Analysis of your competitors in the market (may include):
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Who are your competitors?
What are the competing products and services?
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Advantages and disadvantages of the competitors’ offerings
B. Competitive Advantage
This is your assessment of why potential customers will choose to buy your product
in place of those profiled above. Advantages may include:
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Unique features
Price
New technologies or systems
Better value to customers
Examples of short case studies
C. Benefits to Clients
This is what your product or service provides to potential customers. What will
buying your product or service actually do for the customer? Your answer may
include examples of:
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Increasing sales
Increasing efficiencies
Saving time, saving money
Improving customer service, increasing loyalty
Disclaimer: In compliance with Data Protection laws, the information submitted will be treated as confidential
and none of the details received will be passed onto any other organisation or used for any purposes other than
this competition.
4.
Marketing/Sales Strategy (max 750 words)
This section sets out your strategies for reaching your target market, arousing their
interest in your product or service, and actually delivering the product or service to
them in sales.
A. Communications Strategy
Identify the communication channels you will use to promote your business,
identifying what is appropriate to your business and client, as well as potential costs
and connections. How you will promote your product or service in the marketplace.
This may include:
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Advertising – where, when, how, to whom
Public relations
Direct marketing
Website and internet marketing
Exhibitions and conferences
Word of mouth
If targeting different segments with different communications, please outline
B. USP (Unique Selling Proposition)
Identify your business USP. How will you differentiate your product or service from
your competitors?
C. Sales Strategy
Identify how you will sell your product or service to the target market. This may
include:
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Directly
Retail
Distributor
Agent
Sales rep
Website
D. Pricing
Identify how you will set the price charged for your product or service.
Considerations may include:
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Competitors’ prices
Level of competition in the market
Customer perception of quality-price relationship
Production costs and overheads
Another method to the above
Disclaimer: In compliance with Data Protection laws, the information submitted will be treated as confidential
and none of the details received will be passed onto any other organisation or used for any purposes other than
this competition.
5.
Research and Development (max 500 words)
Research and Development
Outline what Research and Development have you carried out to date? What have
you learned from this and how has it shaped your approach to your business model?
List key highlights of the research you conducted as well as available 3 rd party
research (reports etc).
Detail Patents, Copyrights, Brands (if relevant).
6.
Staffing and Operations (max 500 words)
Staffing
Outline here your staffing plans over the coming 3 years. Please include an
organization chart with job titles.
Operations
State the physical requirements of the business, which may include:
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Premises
Equipment
Production facilities
Infrastructure
Communications facilities
Suppliers
Disclaimer: In compliance with Data Protection laws, the information submitted will be treated as confidential
and none of the details received will be passed onto any other organisation or used for any purposes other than
this competition.
7.
Financial Projections (High Level) (max 750 words)
Here you should include the key assumptions of your financial projections as well as
indicating any orders or retainers that you have agreed (however please do not
include any private third party information).
The projections should include:
 Sales Forecast by month for 12 months
 Cashflow Projection (No VAT need be considered) – see attached example.
Disclaimer: In compliance with Data Protection laws, the information submitted will be treated as confidential
and none of the details received will be passed onto any other organisation or used for any purposes other than
this competition.
8.
Declaration
I, _______________ (your name), declare that all of the information contained in this
entry is right and truthful and relevant to _____________________ (company name).
I acknowledge that the information submitted will be treated as confidential and
none of the details received will be passed onto any other organisation or used for
any purposes other than this competition.
Signed: _____________________
Date: ______________________
Disclaimer: In compliance with Data Protection laws, the information submitted will be treated as confidential
and none of the details received will be passed onto any other organisation or used for any purposes other than
this competition.