Urban Innovation21
Small Business Grant Competition
Supporting Small Business Growth in the Innovation Economy
Purpose of Grant Competition
Increase minority enterprise ownership;
Create new jobs;
Create enterprises that contribute to the innovation
economy eco-system;
Improve community’s quality of life.
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Purpose of Info Sessions:
To assist you in preparing a business plan summary;
To assist you in making your business case;
Assist you in completing and meeting competition
application requirements;
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(Technical Assistance 6 Hours)
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Judging Criteria
Does submission meet grant intent?
Is it an opportunity for wealth creation or protection?
Is the opportunity to grow or start a business?
Does the proposed business create new jobs?
Do residents gain access to education or training they need to
get ahead?
Verify Benefits to Hill District
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35 Points
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Judging Criteria
Marketing strategy - 20 Points
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Is the marketing strategy clear and credible?
Operations plan & management - 20 Points
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Does the operating plan support marketing and business
goals?
Financial Plan - 25 Points
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Do the numbers support your business case?
Scoring Guidelines:
Fewer than 51 points: Proposal not considered;
65 to 75 points application can be considered for a
up to $5,000 award;
76-85 points application can be considered for up to
$7,500 award.
85 to 100 points application can be considered for up
to $10,000 award.
51or above: Application can be considered for zero
interest loan award
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Questions and Answers
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Business Logic
Make your business case:
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What do you sell? And to whom?
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How do you meet customer needs?
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Operations Plan
Will you make any money?
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Marketing Strategy
Financial Plan
Business Plan Summary
Follow format;
Business details;
Business description up to 120 words;
Management experience up to 120 words;
Markets up to 120 words;
Financial chart;
Funding request amount / grants or loans, both;
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Business Plan Summary
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Marketing Strategy up to 120 words;
Sales and promotions up to 120 words;
Operations strategy up to 240 words;
Capitalization and finance up 120 words;
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Elevator Speech
The elevator speech is a 60 second presentation about your
business, it is your introduction.
 Who am I?
 What is my business offering?
 What problem is being solved?
 How big is the problem? (How big is the market?)
 What should the listener do as result of hearing your
pitch?
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The Workshops
February 22
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Class 1 – Start Up
Businesses
 Research and Self - Assessment
 Writing the Business Plan
 The Value Proposition
March 8, 2013
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Class 3 (Hill) - Consultant
team
 Business Start-up, Registration, Structural and Legal
Considerations
 The Elevator Pitch Review
 Elevator pitch exercise
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Class 1 – Existing
Businesses
 Defining how your market is changing
 Defining what’s needed to grow
 Assess your assumptions
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Class 3 – Existing
Businesses
 Building out your operating plan
 Identifying strategy for key partnerships
March 1, 2013
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Class 2 – Start Up
Businesses
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Class 2 – Existing
Businesses
 Marketing Strategy
 Managing credit
 Finance
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March 15, 2013/ 10:00AM to 12:00 PM Class 4
(Hill) - Consultant Team
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Business Plan Working Sessions
(Time for all participants to work on their plans and
consult with
Questions and Answers
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