2009 Competition Guidelines
The 8th Continent Business Plan Competition (formerly Lunar Ventures) challenges university students in business, engineering and science to form teams and develop viable business plans using space-related technologies that have real-world potential.
Teams should consist primarily of graduate students, although undergraduate participation is welcome. Prizes for the winner include up to $50,000 in cash and in-kind services, plus a ride for two on the Zero Gravity Corporation aircraft.
The final rounds of the Competition will be held April 24-26, 2009 on the campus of the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado.
Each proposed business plan is to identify a business opportunity that is "space-related." This means ventures using intellectual property derived from existing space technology and employed in products with near-term terrestrial market potential. Sustainability and renewable energy, biomedical, software and IT, robotics, materials, and much more (including rocket science) are all "space-related." IMPORTANT: We do not expect the product to be space-based, although you may propose one if you can make a convincing business case for it.
A "convincing business case" is one that demonstrates competitive returns on the investment requested within 3-5 years after funding begins. "Competitive returns" are generally those that produce 5-10+ times the amount of the original investment.
The 8th Continent Business Plan Competition simulates the process of entrepreneurs soliciting start-up funds from investors. There is only one judging criterion. The single question that the judges will be asked to answer is "Would I invest my money in this venture?" It is not enough to demonstrate that the product works technically. Your business plan must convincingly show how your good idea will also become a successful business venture.
The quality of the idea, the strength of the management team, and the clarity and persuasiveness of the written plan and oral presentation will all influence the judges' decision. The best written business plans will demonstrate superior writing and analytical skills, and reflect technical, marketing, management, and financial acumen in a clear, concise and convincing manner. Winning presentations will demonstrate superior oral, visual and interactive skills, as well as poise, professionalism and an ability to "think on one's feet."
Eligibility Rules
The 8th Continent Business Plan Competition strives to stimulate and nourish the Entrepreneurial Spirit in graduate students in business, engineering and the sciences. In particular, this competition seeks to encourage entrepreneurially oriented graduate students to create and develop new ventures related to space-derived intellectual property based either on their own ideas and technologies or those developed by others, including faculty members at their respective colleges and universities.
To provide a relatively level "playing field" for student teams, a set of Eligibility Rules has been developed and all participating teams are expected to satisfy them. At the same time, we recognize that no set of rules, no matter how thorough or carefully developed can ever cover all circumstances. Accordingly, all teams and the universities that they represent are expected to abide by the specific rules enumerated below as well as the overall spirit of the competition. We reserve the right to disqualify any team that violates the rules, regulations or the spirit of the competition.