The Entry Process

Entries and Enterprise Awards programme

The USWEA competition has 4 stages. The first stage focuses on the business and entrant(s) nomination and application. To enter the competition each business will need to produce a brief, clear outline of the business on the appropriate USWEA entry form (USWEA10-Student Entry Form.doc, USWEA10-Staff/Alumni Entry Form.doc).

All business plan competition entrants must be available to attend a dry-run pitching session. The completed form must not exceed 4 pages in length. Entries must be completed in full and sent by e-mail to iwona.tempowski@uwe.ac.uk by 4 pm 27th August 2010. Incomplete entries or business plan entries not able to participate in dry-run pitching session will not be considered.

The second stage concentrates on the submission of a business plan (up to maximum of 15 pages), Entrants are encouraged to work with their HEI partners and mentors in the completion of the business plan. Business plans should be submitted by e-mail to iwona.tempowski@uwe.ac.uk by 12.00 noon on 20th October 2010. Incomplete business plan submissions will not be considered.

In the third stage, while completed business plans are sent for judging, business plan entrants will be expected to join a dry run pitching session. This session offers entrants the opportunity to practice their ten minute business presentations to a reviewing panel. The panel will provide constructive feedback on areas of improvement to support each entrant develop their presentations, but does not contribute to final judging. This friendly format is aimed to help entrants practice pitching their business to a business expert audience.

The fourth stage includes the final presentations and judging (held week 8 - 16 November 2010) and a 'by invitation only' awards ceremony held 16th November 2010. Judging will be by a panel of external business experts and will be based on an assessment of the submitted business plans and entrant presentations to the judging panel. The judging criteria will be available in advance to help HEIs support entrant business plan and presentation development. Note that the judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.