All submissions and inquiries should be directed to:

Progress2Capital Business Planning Competition
Regina Regional Economic Development Authority
Suite 255, 1919 Rose Street
Regina, SK - S4P 3P1
p.(306) 791-4699 f.(306) 352-1630

Or ensure all required information is in an e-mail to: jloffler@rreda.com

*Please read the process and guidelines carefully and please check the website regularly for updates.  Our primary method of communication is by e-mail and the website www.progress2capital.com – please advise the RREDA office if you do not have e-mail or internet capabilities.

Competition Launch
Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Round 1:
Submission of Business Idea & Competitor Waiver Form (see form)
Deadline: Wednesday, March 5, 2008 by 5:00 p.m.

• If you intend to compete in the competition you must submit your preferred e-mail and other contact information, business idea summary and waiver (see form) - brief resumes/bios of team member(s) (no longer than one-page per team member) also may be included
• Only one copy of the business idea summary is required and it must be submitted electronically BUT the competitor waiver does require a signature and must be faxed or mailed
• You will be sent an e-mail after submitting your business idea summary and waiver to confirm its receipt.  If you do not receive an e-mail, please phone to confirm receipt of your submission.

*Based on the business idea submissions, candidates will be selected to move forward to Round 2 of the competition.  These candidates will be notified by e-mail by Friday, March 7, 2008 at 5:00pm.

Round 2:
Submission of Single-Page Business Plan (see form)
Deadline: Monday, March 31, 2008 by 5:00 p.m.

• Only one copy of the single-page business plan is required and it must be submitted electronically
• You will be sent an e-mail after submitting your single-page business plan to set up an interview to discuss your business and get feedback. If you do not receive a request for an interview, please phone to confirm receipt of your submission.  Interviews will be completed between April 1 and April 8, 2008.

*Based on the business idea submissions, the single-page business plans, and the interviews – 10 finalists will be selected to move forward to the final round by Wednesday, April 9, 2008.

Final Round
Sponsor/Finalist Networking Event
Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2008, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: TBD 

Business Plan & Marketing Boot Camp
Date: Saturday, April 19, 2008, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: TBD

Submission of final business plans (see form)
Deadline: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 by 5:00 p.m.

• 3 copies of the final plans must be delivered by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 to Regina Regional Economic Development Authority - #255, 1919 Rose Street, Regina, SK, S4P 3P1
• Plan must also be received in digital format by e-mail to jloffler@rreda.com by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2008.  Preferred format: PDF
• Business planning guidelines: http://bsa.cbsc.org/gol/bsa/site.nsf/en/su07141.html

Judging

Competition Guidelines

Criteria
The following are some general criteria that will be considered by the competition judges. These are also criteria used in industry, by private investors, financial institutions, and venture capitalists in evaluating the attractiveness of new venture proposals.

• Commitment and experience of the person or team
• Uniqueness of the idea
• Understanding of the marketplace
• Size of market opportunity
• Realism of market opportunity
• Potential for growth
• Ease of access to the market
• Competitive position
• Realism of product/service mix
• Plans for future product development
• Realistic supporting operational strategy
• Healthy and realistic financial projections
• Financial consistency
• Presentation in written and oral form
• Research to substantiate the plan

Eligibility

• Applicant or one team member must be a resident of Saskatchewan
• Business idea must be legal and feasible for operation in the Regina region
• Entries must be the original work of the applicant(s)
• The business must be at pre-commercial stage (not currently operating or at the very early stages of business commencement)

*All submissions and inquiries should be directed to:

Progress2Capital Business Planning Competition
Regina Regional Economic Development Authority
Suite 255, 1919 Rose Street
Regina, SK - S4P 3P1
p.(306) 791-4699 f.(306) 352-1630
Or ensure all required information is in an e-mail to: jloffler@rreda.com
*Please read the process and guidelines carefully and please check the website regularly for updates.  Our primary method of communication is by e-mail and the website www.progress2capital.com – please advise the RREDA office if you do not have e-mail or internet capabilities.

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