GUIDELINES & INSTRUCTIONS

• Complete the online submission form HERE and upload your PDF file.
  • File must be no more than 2MB in PDF format.
  • File must be not more than 10 pages in length, including appendices.

PRODUCT MARKET SUMMARY FORMATTING GUIDELINES

1. COVER SHEET:
   1. Team Name
   2. Business Name
   3. Names of all team members
2. SUMMARY:
   1. 4-6 pages (8.5"x11") double-spaced
   2. Font size no smaller than 12pt
   3. Margins of at least 1 inch on all sides
3. APPENDICES:
   1. You may attach up to 4 pages of appendices. It is not included in the maximum 6-page count.

THINGS TO COVER / JUDGING CRITERIA (Updated Feb. 2, 2017) 

1. ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE MARKET (Market Opportunity): 15 points
   1. How large is the market and how fast is it growing?
   2. Can you be a "significant" player in this market?
   3. What long-run profitability do you expect to see in this market?
2. VALUE CREATED BY THE NEW PRODUCT OR SERVICE (Value Proposition): 15 points
   1. What value do you deliver to the customer?
   2. Which of your customer's problems are you helping to solve?
   3. Is the need you are satifsfying a high priority to your customer?
   4. Are you offering different bundles of products and services to different customer segments?
3. CUSTOMER DISCOVERY AND CUSTOMER SEGMENTS: 15 points
   1. For whom are you creating value?
   2. Who are your most important customers?
   3. What does your target customer look like?
   4. How do you plan on discovering your customer?
4. CUSTOMER VALIDATION (Product-Market Fit): 25 points
   1. Based on your conversations with (target) customers, what job is your customer trying to get done, and how does your product or service provide a solution to this job?
   2. What is your customer's pain, and how does your product or service address this pain?
   3. What is your customer's gain, and how does your product or service provide this gain?
   4. Are your customers willing to pay for your product or service?
5. COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF THE PROPOSED VENTURE: 15 points
   1. What is your positioning in relation to competitors?
   2. How are disruptions in the market affecting competitors? Can this product or service be a leader in its market?
   3. How long will it take to get to market?
   4. Do you have favorable positioning in the distribution channel?
   5. Do you currently have technology or intellectual property that is essential to success?
      If not, do you have a plan to develop/secure intellectual property (include associated timeline and cost)?
6. OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY: 15 points
   1. How will you distribute the product or service?
   2. How will operational obstacles be overcome?
   3. Do you have a prototype or working description of the product or service?
   4. What is your proposed revenue model?