NEW JERSEY WOMEN IN STEM ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION CHALLENGE.

 

NEW JERSEY WOMEN IN STEM ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION CHALLENGE.

The challenge is to encourage women who have embraced or plan to lead entrepreneurial ventures. All New Jersey resident STEM female professionals are eligible to apply. Institutional affiliation is not necessary. Two categories of awards are included. New Jersey school and college and females/ female led groups are eligible to participate in the STEM Innovation Awards. STEM female professionals who have already graduated are eligible to participate in STEM Entrepreneurship Awards. Detailed descriptions are provided under the specific categories.

COMMON REQUIREMENTS                                                                                       DEADLINE

Registration & Executive Summary                                                                          January 1, 2018

Finalists announcement & request for full Business plans                                   January 30, 2018

Full Business Plans from invited finalists                                                               February 20, 2018

Final Pitching & Awarding                                                                                         March 8, 2018 

Executive Summary
The Executive Summary should be submitted as a pdf file to awis_cjc@yahoo.com with subject line: Executive Summary. The Executive Summary should be a one to two-page synopsis of your Business Plan. It is highly recommended that your Executive Summary highlight the most interesting and important elements of your plan that would inform an external reviewer or judge as to why your idea will succeed.

Business Plan

 The Business Plan limited to 20 pages should clearly explain your Products or Services, Market and Marketing Strategy, Operations, Management and Business Model (how your venture makes money). Key components should include, but not be limited to (Canvas Business Model format suggested, but not binding):

Key Partnerships Customer Segments Customer Relationships Customer Relationships Revenue Streams Cost Structure  Value Proposition Key Activities Key Resources

JUDGING PROCESS & FORMAT

Pitches will be judged on factors such as innovation of product/service, understanding of the market, growth and sustainability planning, the development of competitive advantage, the availability of management and skill sets, the strength of vision, and well-defined goals.

• A panel of judges will conduct a blind review of executive summaries to select the following finalists
  • Top 4 teams in the Entrepreneurship category.
  • Top 4 college teams in the Innovation category.
  • Top 4 school teams in the Innovation category.
• Selected teams will be invited to participate in final pitching & awarding event.
• On March 8, 2018, female leads from invited teams will give a 20 minute presentation of their business plan, including a 90 second Elevator Pitch
• Judges will evaluate the presentations and winners will be announced.
• All decisions by the judges will be final.