APPLICATION - WDCEPwdcep.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/BPC11_Application.pdf · BPC Rules...

Washington, DC Economic Partnership v 1495 F Street, NW v Washington, DC 20004 v 202.661.8670 v www.wdcep.com

APPLICATION2011 WDCEP Business Plan Competition

Presented by

WDCEP BusinessPlanCompetition

Presented by

WDCEP BusinessPlanCompetition

© 2011 Washington, DC Economic Partnership | 202.661.8670 | www.wdcep.com | 2

2011 WDCEP Business Plan Competition Application

Contents

Key Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

The Competition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

The Washington, DC Economic Partnership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

The District’s CAPCO Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

The CAPCO Investment Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Compliance Obligation of Businesses Accepting

CAPCO Investment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Competition Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

The Judging Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Awards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Business Plan Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Business Plan Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Technical Requirements & Writing Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Legal Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Appendices

Appendix A | CAPCO Eligibility Questionnaire . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Appendix B | Executive Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Appendix C | Bank Declination Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Appendix D | Score Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Appendix E | Acceptance of BPC Rules & Guidelines. . . . . . . . 16

Appendix F | Registration Form. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Key Dates

April 5 Workshop #1: How to Write Your Business Plan

April 15 Workshop #2: How to Develop Your Financial Projections

April 20 Workshop #3: How to Present Your Business Plan to

Investors

May 20 Deadline for submission of Registration Form, Acceptance

of BPC Rules & Guidelines, Executive Summary and

payment of $100 competition fee

June 20 Deadline for submission of BPC Business Plan

June 27 Selection of Finalists: Round 1 and 2 Judging

July 15 Finalists deliver oral presentations

July 15 Business Plan Competition winner notified

July 27 Business Plan Competition winner announced at

2011 Small Business Awards



The CompetitionThe purpose of the Washington, DC Economic Partnership’s Business

Plan Competition (BPC) is to:

• encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation within

the District; and

• make entrepreneurs (national, regional, and local) aware of the

District’s Certified Capital Company (“CAPCO”) Program.

The Washington, DC Economic Partnership’s BPC is the ideal oppor-

tunity for national, regional, and local entrepreneurs to launch or grow

innovative businesses in the nation’s capital.

The BPC, administered by the Washington, DC Economic Partnership,

is funded by Advantage Capital Partners and Enhanced Capital Part-

ners, both of which are participants in the District’s CAPCO Program,

and private sector companies (including Capital One Bank, Venable

LLP, and Gelberg Signs) and is produced in collaboration with the

Washington, DC Coalition for Capital.

This year’s BPC winner will receive

• an investment prize of $100,000,

• $15,000 worth of legal consultation from Venable LLP,

• $5,000 worth of signage from Gelberg Signs,

• $2,500 worth of of accounting services/tax planning from the

Reznick Group,

• $2,500 in marketing services from Black Lab Advisory, and

• an Apple iPad and 20 hours of Geek Squad services from Best Buy

for Business.

The BPC is open to existing and new businesses headquartered in

Washington, DC. Sponsorship of the BPC is welcome. If you are inter-

ested in sponsoring the BPC, please contact:

Daour Diawara

Manager, Business Development

Washington, DC Economic Partnership

202-661-8673

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



The Washington, DC Economic Partnership The Washington, DC Economic Partnership is a public/ private part-

nership dedicated to facilitating economic development in the District

of Columbia. We are a nonprofit organization that partners with a

variety of community stakeholders to accomplish our mission. The

Washington, DC Economic Partnership is your first point of contact for

development and business opportunities in the District of Columbia.

We facilitate economic development through business attraction and

business retention programs and activities.

The District’s CAPCO Program The District’s Certified Capital Company (CAPCO) Program is a success-

ful effort by the District of Columbia to increase private capital investment

in the city’s new or expanding small businesses. The CAPCO model,

which has been enacted in DC and a number of other states, combines

private-sector expertise in identifying, evaluating, and financing busi-

nesses with the public sector’s interest in a stronger local economy. The

District’s three CAPCO investment funds — which are called “CAPCOs”

and are managed by professional venture capitalists — stimulate the

creation of jobs and provide an incentive to retain, expand, and attract a

wide range of businesses. Since the enactment of the District program

in 2003, CAPCOs have deployed nearly $28 million in investment capital

into District small businesses. It is important to distinguish the District’s

CAPCO Program from a grant program; CAPCO funds make investments,

not grants, into qualifying businesses. As such, only the most competi-

tive businesses that meet the program’s qualifications are able to receive

investment via the District’s CAPCO Program.

To learn more about the District’s CAPCO Program, go to

www.dccapco.com.

The CAPCO Investment ProcessThe winner of the Washington, DC Economic Partnership’s BPC will receive

a $100,000 CAPCO investment from Advantage Capital Partners (Advan-

tage) and Enhanced Capital Partners (Enhanced) via the District’s CAPCO

program. In order to qualify for CAPCO investment, businesses must meet

all of the requirements listed under “District CAPCO Program Require-

ments.” INVESTMENTS ARE NOT GRANTS. Investments are risk-based

and obligate the business accepting the investment to agree to repayment

terms, which can include interest and/or profit. Terms, conditions, and eco-

nomics are negotiated between the businesses receiving investment and

the investors (Advantage and Enhanced in this case). Each investment has

its own unique considerations that drive terms, conditions, and economics.

Investments may be structured as 100% debt, 100% equity, or a combina-

tion of debt and equity.

Compliance Obligation of Businesses Accepting CAPCO InvestmentInvestments made via the District’s CAPCO program are subject

to strict scrutiny by the Washington, DC Department of Insurance,

Securities and Banking (DISB) to ensure that businesses meet all of

the program requirements at the time of initial investment as well as

on an ongoing basis for the life of the investment. Rigorous compli-

ance with CAPCO Program rules is a priority for the DISB as well as

Advantage and Enhanced. Advantage and Enhanced submit relevant

compliance information for each CAPCO investment to the DISB on a

quarterly basis. Therefore, each business accepting CAPCO invest-

ment, including the Business Plan Competition winner, must agree to

provide Advantage and Enhanced with relevant compliance information

on a quarterly basis.

mailto:[email protected]



Competition Rules1. The winning business must be deemed eligible by the District’s

Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking before receiving

the $100,000 CAPCO investment. If the winner does not meet all of

the requirements for a qualified District CAPCO Program invest-

ment during this competition, submission of a BPC business plan

constitutes a commitment to take all necessary steps to become

eligible no later than August 27, 2011.

Before reading any further, see Appendix A CAPCO Eligibility Question-naire to determine eligibility for District CAPCO Program investment.

2. Competitors must be 18 years or older (students over 18 are eligible).

3. BPC Executive Summary Forms and BPC Business Plans must

describe a business owned by the individual or group submitting

the materials.

4. Competitors must agree that they will use investment capital to

establish or continue operations in the District of Columbia.

5. Competitors must submit their Registration Form (Appendix F),

BPC Rules Acknowledgment (Appendix E), Executive Summary and

$100 fee by mail by 5:00 pm Eastern on Friday, May 20, 2011 to


Attn: Business Plan Competition

1495 F Street, NW

Washington, DC 20004

Failure to submit the form and pay the fee by the deadline will disqualify businesses from the BPC

6. Competitors must submit their BPC Business Plan, Executive Sum-

mary (Appendix B), CAPCO Eligibility Questionnaire (Appendix

A) and Bank Declination Letter (Appendix C) by mail by 5:00 pm

Eastern on Monday, June 20, 2011 to



1495 F Street, NW


7. Competitors risk disqualification if they:

a. Submit partially completed materials;

b. Plagiarize or otherwise illegally use copyrights, proprietary ideas

or intellectual business concepts, existing names, patents, trade-

marks, logos and the like;

c. Attempt to influence a judge or have another do so on their behalf;

d. Submit their registration form, executive summary, or business

plan in any manner other than by mail; or

e. Fail to follow the business plan requirements that begin on page

8 of this document.

8. Finalists presenting to the judges on July 8, will bring a poster,

measuring 36” x 36”, summarizing their plan. All finalists’ posters

will be displayed at the Small Business Awards on July 27.

9. Promotional posters become property of the WDCEP.

10. Competitors must be available to receive their award at the 2011

Small Business Awards program on July 27.

11. The District’s CAPCO rules prohibit investments in:

a. Businesses that are regional or national franchises;

b. Businesses that are primarily engaged in real estate develop-

ment or leasing projects;

c. Businesses that are primarily engaged in insurance; or

d. Businesses that are engaged in the provision of professional

services by accountants, lawyers, or physicians.

12. Companies that have participated in the District’s CAPCO Program

at any time are ineligible for the BPC.

13. Competitors with questions should refer to the FAQs.

http://www.wdcep.com/events/business-plan-competition-faqs/



Judging Process• Qualified submissions will be reviewed by the BPC review committee

comprised of members of the business and governmental communi-

ties and MBA students invited from the following local universities:

• Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business;

• Howard University, Graduate School of Business;

• Southeastern University, Graduate School of Business;

• George Washington University, Graduate School of Business; and

• University of the District of Columbia, Graduate School of

Business.

• The judges will rely on the following criteria in judging the competi-

tion (see BPC Business Plan Requirements sectionon page 8 and

Appendix D: Score Sheet):

• Description of the Business;

• Financials;

• Management Team;

• Industry;

• Offering;

• Operations;

• Marketing;

• S.W.O.T. Analysis; and

• Potential for Growth in Washington, DC.

• All BPC Executive Summaries and BPC business plans will be judged

using the same criteria, regardless of whether the business is in the

planning, start-up, or operations phase.

• Competition management and/or judges may disqualify any appli-

cation they believe violates the integrity of the BPC.

• Decisions of competition management and/or judges are final,

including interpretation of the rules.

• Competition management and judges will sign a Non-Disclosure

Agreement (NDA) in connection with performing their duties for the

BPC. It is also each applicant’s responsibility to protect their intel-

lectual property.

• Conflict of Interest Policy: Judges agree not to initiate a professional

relationship with individuals who have an active application in the

competition. If a personal or professional relationship exists, judges

will be responsible for notifying competition management and shall

refrain from discussion and voting on relevant applications. An ap-

plication is considered active until the judges have made a decision

about it or until it has been withdrawn by the applicant.

• During Phase One Judging, judges will

• review business plans;

• score and rank business plans using the score sheet included as

Appendix D; and

• select the five highest scoring business plans to advance to Phase

Two Judging.

• During Phase Two Judging, judges will

• Review BPC Business Plans;

• Score and rank BPC Business Plans using the score sheet included

as Appendix D; and

• Select the three highest scoring BPC Business Plans to advance to

Phase Three Judging.

• During Phase Three Judging, judges will

• Observe 20-minute oral presentations from the three finalists

(finalists are welcome to use PowerPoint presentations); and

• Select the winner using the score sheet included as Appendix D.



AwardsThe BPC winner will receive:

• $100,000 CAPCO investment (NOT A GRANT) from Advantage

Capital Partners and Enhanced Capital Partners to be invested

solely into the winning business (The winning business must be

approved for CAPCO Program investment by DISB, remain in

the District during the life of the investment, comply with the

District’s CAPCO Program rules, and provide quarterly report-

ing to Advantage and Enhanced to satisfy accounting and audit

requirements.);

• Promotional video to be aired at the 2011 Small Business Awards

on July 27;

• $15,000 worth of legal consultation from Venable LLP; and

• $5,000 worth of signage from Gelberg Signs.

• $2,500 worth of accounting services/tax planning from Reznick

Group

• $2,500 worth of Marketing Services from Black Lab Advisory

• An Apple iPad and 20 hours of Geek Squad services from Best

buy for Business

The BPC winner will be announced at the Small Business Awards.

Wednesday, July 27

8:30 am Registration | 9:00 – 11:00 am Program

Willard InterContinental Washington

1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW


Business Plan Assistance

Business Plan Competition WorkshopsTo assist competitors in preparing competitive BPC Executive Sum-

maries and their BPC Business Plans, the Washington, DC Economic

Partnership is hosting the following three workshops. Attendance at

the workshops is not required but is encouraged.

How to Write Your Business Plan

April 5 | 9:30 - 11:00 am

Register Here

How to Develop Your Financial Projections

April 15 | 9:30 - 11:00 am

Register Here

How to Present Your Business Plan to Investors

April 20 | 9:30 - 11:00 am

Register Here

All workshops are free of charge and will take place at:

Venable LLP

575 7th Street, NW

Eighth Floor


NOTE: Please visit www.wdcep.com for the latest news and most updated infor-mation as dates and times are subject to change.

District of Columbia Business Development/Resource CentersIn addition to the aforementioned workshops, competitors are encour-

aged to attend on-going training and business plan development ses-

sions held by partner organizations. Click below for more information

on each organization.

• Anacostia Economic Development Corporation

• DC Chamber of Commerce, Business Resource Center

• Department of Small & Local Business Development,

E-BIC Center

• Howard University, Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

• Southeastern University, Center for Entrepreneurship

• University of the District of Columbia, Small Business

Development Center (SBDC)

http://www.wdcep.com

http://www.anacostiacdc.com

http://www.dcchamber.org

http://restore.dc.gov

http://restore.dc.gov

http://www.coas.howard.edu/hucup/comm_initiatives_sbdd.htm

http://http://www.seu.edu/

http://www.udc.edu/academics/sbpa/sbdc/

http://www.udc.edu/academics/sbpa/sbdc/



Business Plan RequirementsBPC Business Plan must strictly adhere to the following requirements. Competitors must not exceed the page maximums. Competitors must address each of the sections. Except for the Financials section, the bullets under each section are sug-gestions for content and are not hard requirements. For the Financials section, each subsection is a requirement.

Industry & Market Analysis .......... one page max.Suggested content for Industry & Market Analysis section

• Industry Description

In what industry is the business? What is the definition of your industry and what is the sector? How does this industry work?

Why is this industry a good environment for this business?

Size, life cycle status, characteristics, drivers

Trends (historical and current)

Barriers to entry

Sales patterns and profit margins (gross and net)

• Market Analysis and Target Market

Definition of primary/secondary target markets (location, size)

Key market factors (demographics, economics, social, and legal)

Market segmentation (key variables)

Results of primary research (customer profile, needs analysis)

Value chain analysis

Entry strategy and barriers to entry

• Competition

Why is the problem not being solved by the competition?

Direct and indirect competition

Market share, description, strengths and weaknesses

Threats from emerging and substitute products

• Product/Service Differentiation and Competitive Advantage(s)

Unique benefits and features

Proprietary protection and innovation (if new invention)

Why will customer buy from you?

Management Team .......................one page max.Suggested content for Management Team section

• Identification and experience of management team that will

execute the concept

• Roles and responsibilities

• Missing talent and gaps in personnel

• Board of Directors/Advisory Board

• Management philosophy and company culture

• Legal structure and ownership

Cover Page ....................................one page max.• Company name (logo, if any)

• Name and contact information for participant(s)

• The words “2011 Washington, DC Economic Partnership

Business Plan Competition”

• Date

Table of Contents .........................one page max.

Executive Summary .............................. two pages• See Appendix B

Business Concept .........................one page max.Suggested content for Business Concept section

• Business concept statement (product/service, customer, benefit,

distribution)

• Purpose/mission and core values of the business (company culture)

• Description of products/services offered

• Primary customer(s)

• Value proposition (benefits to customers)

• Critical success factors (what must be true for the business to suc-

ceed?)

• Business model (how will the business make money?)

• Opportunity for growth

• Exit strategy (if any)

BUSINESS PLAN REQUIREMENTS CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >



Operations .....................................one page max.Suggested content for Operations section

• Operational philosophy

• Technical description of product or service

• Process flow chart of business (representing all the activities and

function of the business)

• Equipment, facilities and real estate associated with the process

flow

• Price/cost model (cost to produce product or provide service)

• If product-based:

Status of product development

Tasks completed, tasks to complete, time to complete

Potential difficulties; plan to overcome

Distribution channel and strategy (movement of product/service to customer)

Marketing Plan ..............................one page max.Suggested content for Marketing Plan section

• Summary of Marketing Plan in one paragraph

Purpose: What will the plan accomplish?

Benefits: How will the plan satisfy a need?

Target Market: Who is the primary buyer?

Niche: Where does your business fit in the market?

Tactics: Tools to reach the customer?

Identity: How the customers see your business?

Budget: % devoted to marketing?

• Plan to reach and educate customers

For example newspaper ads, direct mail, e-mail, face to face pre-sentation, TV campaign

• Pricing strategy

• Marketing mix

Strategies for promotion, sales and advertising for each customer group

Positioning and message

Financials Required content for Financials

For an Existing Company

• Financial Statements: Annual Balance Sheet and Income State-

ment through the fiscal year end of the company for the past

three years (up six pages max.)

• Financial Statements: Interim Balance Sheet and Income State-

ment (two pages max.)

• Projections: Three-year projections to include income, expense

and net income details – Monthly breakdown with yearly totals

(up to three pages max.)

• Sales Forecast: Breakdown of revenue for the next year, list client

names and expected revenue from that client, other sources of

revenue. This should match projections (one page max.)

• Request: Assuming award of $100,000 loan – specifically, how will the

funds be used? How long until the funds are repaid? (one page max.)

For a New Company

• Projections: Three-year projections/cash flow to include income,

expense, and net income details – Monthly breakdown with yearly

totals (three pages max.)

• Sales Forecast: Breakdown of revenue for the next year, list client

names and expected revenue from that client, other sources of

revenue. This should match projections. (one page max.)

• Request: Assuming award of $100,000 loan – specifically, how will the

funds be used? How long until the funds are repaid? (one page max.)

• Capital Structure (one page max.)

• Plan for financing the company (equity, debt, equipment leasing)

• Initial capitalization (if any)

• If soliciting other investment, bullet points highlighting primary

benefits and risks of investment

Visuals .............................................one page max.• Photos of product or service

• Photos of current building/space or building/space where business

plans to be

• Other

NOTE: For assistance with market research and/or business development, please reference the WDCEP publications “Neighborhood Profiles” and “Doing Business in Washington, DC.” Click to download these publications.

http://www.wdcep.com/tools-research/publications/



Technical Requirements and Writing GuidelinesFontAll submissions should be typed using 12 pt. type, in a simple and easy

to read font style (Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri).

Objective & Persuasive Be objective. Avoid exaggeration. Persuasiveness is derived from con-

tent, thoroughness, and presentation, not adjectives describing your

concept or management team.

Organization & StructureOutline and organize logically (transition and flow). Use simple,

straightforward sentences and paragraphs. Use headings and bullets

liberally. Avoid technical jargon and big words. Do not assume the

reader has industry or market knowledge.

Page Appearance A certain amount of white space on the page is good. Remember, this

is not a novel that the reader will devour cover-to-cover. Make it easy

for the reader to find information. Use headers and bullet points.

PersuasionBe sure your most persuasive points are clearly understood in every

section. Every text section should begin with a one-paragraph sum-

mary of the most persuasive points in the section.

ProofreadProof, spell check, grammar check, proof, then proof again.

Legal DisclaimerThe competition is void where prohibited by law. The Washington,

DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP), Advantage Capital Partners, En-

hanced Capital Partners, and the Washington, DC Coalition for Capital

(“the Sponsors”) may change the dates and/or terms of the Business

Plan Competition (“BPC”) without prior notice. Any date changes will

be posted on the WDECP’s website. The Sponsors assume no respon-

sibility or liability for damages or losses resulting from the BPC or the

acceptance of CAPCO investment capital. Decisions of the judges

are final. All physical competition materials (excluding intellectual

property) submitted by participant(s) will become the property of the

WDCEP. In exchange for the right to participate in the BPC, each par-

ticipant agrees to release, hold harmless, and indemnify the Sponsors

and their officers, directors, agents, parent companies, advisors, and

employees (the “Released Parties”), from any and all claims, demands,

and/or causes of action of any nature or kind whatsoever, whether

presently known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, that arise out

of the participant’s participation in the BPC. Anyone or any business

using fraudulent means to participate in the BPC will be immediately

disqualified. Any violation of the BPC rules will result in immediate dis-

qualification. The Sponsors reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to

cancel, suspend, or change the BPC.



Appendix A CAPCO Eligibility Questionnaire For a business to be eligible for the District’s CAPCO Program and the Business Plan Competition, it must answer “Yes” to each of the questions below, and, where indicated, submit documentation.

Ratio of Employees Who Work in the DistrictThe District’s rules for the CAPCO program require that for a busi-

ness to be qualified, 75% of the business’ employees must work in the

District of Columbia.

YES NO

o oIf the business already exists, do at least 75% of the busi-

ness’ employees work in the District of Columbia?

YES NO

o oIf the business does not already exist, will at least 75% of the

business’ employees work in the District of Columbia?

Small Business ConcernThe District’s rules for the CAPCO program require that a qualified

business must be a “small business concern” as defined by the SBA’s

requirements for SBA loan applicants (click to determine whether the

business meets the SBA’s definition of “small business concern”).

YES NO

o oIf the business already exists, does the business qualify as a

“small business concern” as defined by the SBA?

YES NO

o oIf the business does not already exist, will the business

qualify as a “small business concern” as defined by the SBA?

Inaccessibility of Conventional FinancingThe District’s rules for the CAPCO program require that a qualified

business must certify that it has attempted and failed to obtain con-

ventional financing, such as from a bank.

YES NO

o oHas the business applied for and been turned down for fi-

nancing from a commercial bank within the past four months

and can the business provide the letter from the commercial

bank documenting the denial of financing?

(If “Yes,” then include a copy of the letter from the commercial bank as an at-

tachment. See Appendix C for an example.)

Location of Headquarters and Principal Operations The District’s rules for the CAPCO program require that for a business

to be qualified, it must be located within the District of Columbia.

YES NO

o oIf the business already exists, is the business’ headquar-

ters and principal operations located within the District of

Columbia?

YES NO

o oIf the business does not already exist, will the business’

headquarters and principal operations be located within the

District of Columbia?

Ratio of Employees Who Are District ResidentsThe District’s rules for the CAPCO program require that for a busi-

ness to be qualified, at least 25% of the business’ employees must be

District of Columbia residents.

YES NO

o oIf the business already exists, does the business have docu-

mentation proving at least 25% of the business’ employees

are District of Columbia residents, and can the business pro-

vide a payroll statement showing D.C. tax withholdings for

the resident employees, a copy of each resident employee’s

driver’s license, and copies of two utility bills for the resident

employees (landline telephone, cable, etc…)?

(If “Yes,” then include documentation as an attachment.)

YES NO

o oIf the business does not already exist, will the business have

documentation proving at least 25% of the business’ employ-

ees are District of Columbia residents, and will the business

provide a payroll statement showing D.C. tax withholdings for

the resident employees, a copy of each resident employee’s

driver’s license, and copies of two utility bills for the resident

employees (landline telephone, cable, etc…)?

CAPCO ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONNAIRE CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >



Priority IndustriesCAPCO funds are encouraged to make investments in the industries

listed below.

YES NO

o oIs or will the business be in one of the following industries?

If “Yes,” then circle which one.

• Healthcare services

• Information technology

• Environmental services/technology

• Internet information providers

• Communication services

• Biotechnology/research services

• Multimedia/graphics software

• Business management services

• Financial services (excluding those primarily engaged in

insurance)

• Restaurants

In a single sentence, explain below how your business falls into the

industry circled.



Appendix B Executive SummaryIn a Word document, format each section using the corresponding headers below, set in 16 point font and normal mar-gins. Type your answers in each section using 12 point font and normal margins, adhering to the word-length specified in each section.

S.W.O.T. Analysis Provide a response for each of the blanks under each section.

Strengths of the Business

Weaknesses of the Business:

Opportunities for the Business:

Threats to the Business:

Offering In 50 words or less, describe your business’ products or services offered.

Industry In 50 words or less, describe the industry your business is in and how it

will stand-out within that industry.

Operations In 50 words or less, describe how your business makes/delivers or

intends to make/deliver its products/services to customers.

Marketing In 50 words or less, describe your business’ marketing plan.

General InformationBusiness Name:

Business Address:

Principal Contact:

Phone & Email:

Description of Business In 200 words or less, describe your business, including industry, what

it does, who the customers are, what makes it unique, and how it will

grow.

FinancialsFor an existing business, provide 2009 figures. For a new business, pro-

vide realistic first-year projections.

Status of Business (existing or not already existing):

Annual gross revenue:

Annual expenses:

Annual net profit:

Equity already invested in business, if any:

Debt already carried by business, if any:

Management Team In 50 words or less, describe your business’ management team, includ-

ing how it is well-equipped to take your business to the next level.



Appendix C Bank Declination LetterLetter to be delivered from Competitors in the 2011 Washington, DC Economic Partnership Business Plan Competition to Their Banker

Dear Banker:

The person submitting this letter to you is a competitor in the 2011 Washington, DC Economic Partnership Business

Plan Competition (“BPC”), sponsored by the Washington, D.C. Economic Partnership, the Washington, D.C. Coalition

for Capital, Enhanced Capital Partners, Advantage Capital Partners and Capital One Bank

The winner of this competition will receive $100,000 in investment capital via the District of Columbia’s Certified Capital

Companies “CAPCO” Program. The District’s CAPCO program is designed to make financing available to Washington,

D.C. small businesses that are unable to access financing from traditional sources, such as loans from banks.

For a business to be eligible for the BPC, along with its business plan, it must submit a recent letter from a commercial

bank expressing that the business applied for a loan of up to $100,000 and was declined. In order for a business to be

eligible for the BPC, the business is required to submit a recent letter from a commercial bank that includes, at least,

the following elements:

• The name of the business that applied for financing and was declined

• The amount of the loan (up to $100,000) applied for and declined

• The name of the bank that considered and declined the application for financing

• The reason the bank declined the application for financing

• A date after March 21, 2011

The following statement is offered only as an example, and there is no requirement that identical language be used:

Sincerely,

Competitor in the 2010 WDCEP Business Plan Competition

Month XX, 2011

Dear Business ABC:

On behalf of Bank XYZ, thank you for your application for a $XX,XXX loan for

your small

business. Unfortunately, due to ________ (lack of operating history, insufficient

collateral, etc.), Bank XYZ has chosen to decline your application.”

Sincerely,

Name

Title



Appendix D Score Sheet

Company Name: _____________________________________________________________________________

Judge’s Name: _______________________________________________________________________________

Poor Fair Satisfactory Good Excellent

Description of the Business1 2 3 4 5

Financials 1 2 3 4 5

Management Team1 2 3 4 5

Industry1 2 3 4 5

Offering1 2 3 4 5

Operations1 2 3 4 5

Marketing1 2 3 4 5

S.W.O.T. Analysis1 2 3 4 5

Potential for Growth in DC1 2 3 4 5

TOTAL: __________



Appendix E Acceptance of BPC Rules & Guidelines

The undersigned, personally and on behalf of the business described in the documents submitted for consideration in the WDCEP Business Plan Competition (“Competitor”), hereby accepts the following

Agreed to and accepted by: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

On behalf of: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This _______day of ____________________ , 2011.

7. Competitor certifies that all information communicated by or on

behalf of Competitor, including all information contained within any

Business Plans submitted and all other communication, at all times

has been and will remain completely truthful and accurate;

8. Competitor certifies that all information communicated by or on

behalf of Competitor, including all information contained within any

Business Plans submitted and all other communication, at all times

has been and will remain proprietary to or otherwise legally used

and submitted by Competitor(s);

9. Competitor agrees to provide accurate information in the event any

previously supplied information changes due to any reason;

10. Competitor agrees to cooperate fully with the Sponsors in regards

to the 2011 BPC and any future competitions; and

11. Competitor agrees to mail a one-time non-refundable competition fee

of $100.00, submitted to the Washington, DC Economic Partnership,

postmarked on or before May 20th, 2011. Signed Acceptance of BPC

Rules and Guidelines documents that are received without payment or

are received after the May 20th deadline will be disqualified.

1. Competitor has received the 2011 BPC Rules & Guidelines;

2. Competitor has reviewed and understands the 2011 BPC

Rules & Guidelines;

3. Competitor agrees to abide by all terms and conditions of the

2011 BPC Rules & Guidelines, including but not limited to the

commitment to use the investment funds received only to

support business operations within the District of Columbia;

4. Competitor understands that investment funds awarded through

the BPC represent a capital investment in the business described

in the plan submitted to be made by Advantage Capital Partners

and Enhanced Capital Partners and as such are subject to the usual

terms and conditions of all portfolio investments made under the

Washington, DC “Certified Capital Companies Act of 2003,” and

“Certified Capital Companies Improvement and Amendment Act

of 2010,” and all related administrative rules;

5. Competitor agrees that such investment will be subject to terms

and conditions required by Advantage, Enhanced, and DISB;

6. Competitor agrees during negotiations and through the entire

term of any investment to provide all information requested in a

timely fashion, whether such information is requested by Advan-

tage Capital Partners, Enhanced Capital Partners, the Washington,

DC Economic Partnership, or the District of Columbia;

Legal Disclaimer

The competition is void where prohibited by law. The Washington, DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP), Advantage Capital Partners, Enhanced Capital Partners, and the Washington, DC Coalition for Capital (“the Sponsors”) may change the dates and/or terms of the Business Plan Competition (“BPC”) without prior notice. Any date changes will be posted on the WDECP’s website. The Sponsors assume no responsibility or liability for damages or losses resulting from the BPC or the acceptance of CAPCO invest-ment capital. Decisions of the judges are final. All physical competition materials (excluding intellectual property) submitted by participant(s) will become the property of the WDCEP. In exchange for the right to participate in the BPC, each participant agrees to release, hold harmless, and indemnify the Sponsors and their officers, directors, agents, parent companies, advisors, and employees (the “Released Parties”), from any and all claims, demands, and/or causes of action of any nature or kind whatsoever, whether presently known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, that arise out of the participant’s participation in the BPC. Anyone or any business using fraudulent means to participate in the BPC will be immediately disqualified. Any violation of the BPC rules will result in immediate disqualification. The Sponsors reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to cancel, suspend, or change the BPC.



Appendix F Registration Form

Fill out this form and attach the Acceptance of BPC Rules & Guidelines (Appendix E), Executive Summary and your payment. Send to the Washington, DC Economic Partnership by 5:00 p.m. May 20, 2011

oPlease register me for the 2011 Washignton, DC Business Plan Competition;

my signed Accpetance of BPC Rules & Guidelines, Executive Summary and $100

registration fee are attached.

Name _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Company ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone ___________________________________ email ____________________________________________________

Payment InformationPayment Options (cash payments will not be accepted)

o Check (all checks should be payable to: Washington, DC Economic Partnership)

o Credit Card

o Visa o MasterCard o American Express

Card Number _________________________________________________________________________________

Card Code (3- or 4-digit number on back of card) ______________ Expiration Date ___________________

Name on Card ________________________________________________________________________________

Signature ______________________________________________________________________________________

Total Amount: $100

Mail all registration materials to:



1495 F Street, NW


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