7/27/2019 ATVenture 2013 Business Proposal Guidelines

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Harvard College Association for US-China Relations

Student Organization Center at Hilles, 59 Sheppard Street, Box 129, Cambridge, MA 02138Website: http://www.harvardatventure.org/

Email: harvardatventure@hauscr.orgHarvard name and/or VERITAS shield are trademarks of the President and Fellows of Harvard College and are used by

permission of Harvard University.

ATVenture Business Proposal Guidelines

In order for your candidacy to be considered in ATVenture 2013 Conference, all applicants mustfollow our business proposal guideline and meet all our requirements below.

I. Executive Summary (1 page) A short summary of the social problem that the group is trying to address in the competition The approach that is being usedhow are you going to implement your idea? The impact that the group is hoping to achieve with that approach After reviewing this section the reader should:

o Want to learn more about your ideao Have a basic understanding about your idea

II. Venture Summary & Vision (1 page) Mission statement (purpose of the venture)

o A compact statement that briefly explains the purpose of this proposal, the target groupthat the proposal is trying to address, the methodologies that will be implemented, andthe expected result.

o Example: Our mission is to identify school-age children of low-income backgrounds andprovide them with the tools and resources to help them reach their maximum scholasticpotential and improve education equality between income levels.

Vision (statement about sustaining and expanding the venture)o A statement that describes the result that the group envisions once the proposal is

implemented

o Example: Popularize social entrepreneurship so that all younger leaders who want tomake an impact to the world can carry out their plans.

Goals and objectiveso Gives quantitative milestones that the group is trying to reach over a specified period of

time

o Example: To improve female elementary school enrollment rate by 10% within the next2 years.

After reviewing this section the reader should know:o What the social venture is and what it stands foro Your perception of the ventures growth and potentialo Specific goals and objectives of the venture

7/27/2019 ATVenture 2013 Business Proposal Guidelines

2/4

Harvard College Association for US-China Relations

Student Organization Center at Hilles, 59 Sheppard Street, Box 129, Cambridge, MA 02138Website: http://www.harvardatventure.org/

Email: harvardatventure@hauscr.orgHarvard name and/or VERITAS shield are trademarks of the President and Fellows of Harvard College and are used by

permission of Harvard University.

III. In-Depth Description of Venture (3-4 pages) Describe the social issue to be examined in its current state, as well as its outlook

o Select a social issue from one of the following areas: Environment Healthcare Poverty / Economic Development Education Community Ethics

o Explain what the issue is and what inefficiency it presents

Example: Bank loans can be unavailable to people who need them due to creditor income issues, even when the loan could be potentially very beneficial toboth the individual and the larger economy.

Define the critical needs of the social venture in the determined environment/marketo Propose how the social issue can be improved and what general measures should be

considered

o Example: If we can provide water filters to people living in regions who do not haveeasy access to clean water, then we can improve the health level of that particular region.

Identify the target marketo Provide a general profile of your targeted clients or area of impact, if applicableo Example: This project will target provinces with both an above average maternal

mortality rate and low access to prenatal care.

Describe what reach and impact is anticipatedo Who exactly will be benefited?

Example: Children from low income families who rely on their contribution aspart of the family income.

o What is the predicted improvement? (Qualitatively) Example: More farmers can have easy access to irrigation channels.

o What is the magnitude of improvement? (Quantitatively) Example: Reduce the prevalence of STD by 10% in the next two years.

After reviewing this section the reader should know:o Basic information about the current state of the social problem and what aspects of that

problem the venture hopes to address

o The scope and anticipated impact of the social venture, as well as the target market

7/27/2019 ATVenture 2013 Business Proposal Guidelines

3/4

Harvard College Association for US-China Relations

Student Organization Center at Hilles, 59 Sheppard Street, Box 129, Cambridge, MA 02138Website: http://www.harvardatventure.org/

Email: harvardatventure@hauscr.orgHarvard name and/or VERITAS shield are trademarks of the President and Fellows of Harvard College and are used by

permission of Harvard University.

IV. Strategy (3-4 pages) Lay out the details of your proposal

o What are the specific mechanisms that the proposal intends to employ? If it is the invention of a product, then define the actual functionality of the

product

If it is a type of business practice, then describe the actual processo What are your inputs? What do you need to implement a project?o What is the expected product or outcome from the proposal?

Explain how they are competitive, including diagrams if applicable Explain why you are in business After reviewing this section the reader should know:

o What your products and services are and how much they sell foro How and why your products & services are competitive

V. Operations (2-3 pages) Provide a description of how your venture is organized as well as an organization chart, if

available

Describe the potential legal structure of your venture (proprietorship, partnership, corporation,etc.)

Identify necessary or special licenses and/or permits your venture may need to operates with Provide a brief bio description of key managers within the venture After reviewing this section the reader should know:

o The legal form of ownership for your ventureo Who the leaders are in your venture as well as their roleso The general flow of operations within

7/27/2019 ATVenture 2013 Business Proposal Guidelines

4/4

Harvard College Association for US-China Relations

Student Organization Center at Hilles, 59 Sheppard Street, Box 129, Cambridge, MA 02138Website: http://www.harvardatventure.org/

Email: harvardatventure@hauscr.orgHarvard name and/or VERITAS shield are trademarks of the President and Fellows of Harvard College and are used by

permission of Harvard University.

VI. Marketing and Sales (2-3 pages) Identify and describe your marketwho your customers are and what the demand is for your

products and services

Describe your channels of distribution Explain your sales strategy, specific to pricing, promotion, products and place (4Ps) After reviewing the section the reader should know:

o Who your market is and how you will reach ito How your venture will apply 4Ps and channel distribution to sell your products and

services competitively

VII. Finance (2-3 pages) New Business

o Estimate of start-up costso Projected balance sheet (1 year forward)o Projected income statement (1 year forward)

Analysis of Existing Business Modelso If existing comparable company is public, provide analysis of financial statementso Describe industry spending trends and allocation of budgeto Compare this to your own financial projections

Explain the long term sustainability of your projecto How can you generate funding for your project?

After reviewing the section the reader should know:o What the financial needs are for the ventureo What are possible ways to raise money for the venture

Additional Tips

I. Keep in mind that this is a social venture. Make sure to aim to solve a social issue.II. Detail and organization are very important!

III. Include graphics and charts to help make your point clearer.IV. The page numbers are only for guidance. Feel free to make each section shorter or longer, but

note, do not stray too far from the page numbers.