Harvard College Association for US-China Relations

ATVenture Business Proposal Guidelines

In order for your candidacy to be considered in ATVenture 2013 Conference, all applicants must follow 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 used how 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 o Want to learn more about your idea 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 group that the proposal is trying to address, the methodologies that will be implemented, and the expected result. Example: Our mission is to identify school-age children of low-income backgrounds and provide them with the tools and resources to help them reach their maximum scholastic potential and improve education equality between income levels. A statement that describes the result that the group envisions once the proposal is implemented Example: Popularize social entrepreneurship so that all younger leaders who want to make an impact to the world can carry out their plans. Gives quantitative milestones that the group is trying to reach over a specified period of time Example: To improve female elementary school enrollment rate by 10% within the next 2 years. What the social venture is and what it stands for Your perception of the ventures growth and potential Specific goals and objectives of the venture

Vision (statement about sustaining and expanding the venture) o o

Goals and objectives o o

After reviewing this section the reader should know: o o o

Student Organization Center at Hilles, 59 Sheppard Street, Box 129, Cambridge, MA 02138 Website: http://www.harvardatventure.org/ Email: harvardatventure@hauscr.org Harvard name and/or VERITAS shield are trademarks of the President and Fellows of Harvard College and are used by permission of Harvard University.

Harvard College Association for US-China Relations

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: o Environment Healthcare Poverty / Economic Development Education Community Ethics Example: Bank loans can be unavailable to people who need them due to credit or income issues, even when the loan could be potentially very beneficial to both the individual and the larger economy.

Explain what the issue is and what inefficiency it presents

Define the critical needs of the social venture in the determined environment/market o o Propose how the social issue can be improved and what general measures should be considered Example: If we can provide water filters to people living in regions who do not have easy access to clean water, then we can improve the health level of that particular region. Provide a general profile of your targeted clients or area of impact, if applicable Example: This project will target provinces with both an above average maternal mortality rate and low access to prenatal care. Who exactly will be benefited? o o Example: Children from low income families who rely on their contribution as part of the family income. Example: More farmers can have easy access to irrigation channels. Example: Reduce the prevalence of STD by 10% in the next two years.

Identify the target market o o

Describe what reach and impact is anticipated o

What is the predicted improvement? (Qualitatively) What is the magnitude of improvement? (Quantitatively)

After reviewing this section the reader should know: o o Basic information about the current state of the social problem and what aspects of that problem the venture hopes to address The scope and anticipated impact of the social venture, as well as the target market

Student Organization Center at Hilles, 59 Sheppard Street, Box 129, Cambridge, MA 02138 Website: http://www.harvardatventure.org/ Email: harvardatventure@hauscr.org Harvard name and/or VERITAS shield are trademarks of the President and Fellows of Harvard College and are used by permission of Harvard University.

Harvard College Association for US-China Relations

IV.

Strategy (3-4 pages)

Lay out the details of your proposal o What are the specific mechanisms that the proposal intends to employ? o o 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 process

What are your inputs? What do you need to implement a project? 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 o What your products and services are and how much they sell for 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 o o The legal form of ownership for your venture Who the leaders are in your venture as well as their roles The general flow of operations within

Student Organization Center at Hilles, 59 Sheppard Street, Box 129, Cambridge, MA 02138 Website: http://www.harvardatventure.org/ Email: harvardatventure@hauscr.org Harvard name and/or VERITAS shield are trademarks of the President and Fellows of Harvard College and are used by permission of Harvard University.

Harvard College Association for US-China Relations

VI.

Marketing and Sales (2-3 pages)

Identify and describe your market who 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 o Who your market is and how you will reach it How your venture will apply 4Ps and channel distribution to sell your products and services competitively

VII.

Finance (2-3 pages)

New Business o o o o o o o o o Estimate of start-up costs Projected balance sheet (1 year forward) Projected income statement (1 year forward) If existing comparable company is public, provide analysis of financial statements Describe industry spending trends and allocation of budget Compare this to your own financial projections How can you generate funding for your project? What the financial needs are for the venture What are possible ways to raise money for the venture

Analysis of Existing Business Models

Explain the long term sustainability of your project After reviewing the section the reader should know:

Additional Tips
I. II. III. IV. Keep in mind that this is a social venture. Make sure to aim to solve a social issue. Detail and organization are very important! Include graphics and charts to help make your point clearer. 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.

Student Organization Center at Hilles, 59 Sheppard Street, Box 129, Cambridge, MA 02138 Website: http://www.harvardatventure.org/ Email: harvardatventure@hauscr.org Harvard name and/or VERITAS shield are trademarks of the President and Fellows of Harvard College and are used by permission of Harvard University.