Business Venture

In-PersonTeam (1-6)Early Submission

View Official PDF (Page 82)

Pitch your innovative business idea to a panel of judges. Create a comprehensive business plan that reflects this year’s theme and demonstrate your entrepreneurial vision.

Format

In-Person

Submission Requirements

Early Submission (2 weeks prior):

• Business Venture outline submitted to MyMIST

On-Site:

• Three (3) copies of the typed Business Venture outline

Registration Guidelines

1. A minimum of one (1) and a maximum of six (6) people can register.
2. One submission per MIST team/school.

Procedure

1. Each team must prepare a Business Venture project that reflects this year’s theme.

   • A venture related to the theme will be awarded additional bonus marks.
   • No points deducted if theme is not reflected.

2. Competition consists of:

   • Written Business Venture outline
   • 5-7 minute presentation

3. Each team must have a student leader as representative, but all team members should be involved.

4. Submit a proposal two (2) weeks prior to the MIST tournament on MyMIST.

5. Submit three (3) copies of typed Business Venture outline on the first day of tournament.

6. Present to a panel of judges for 5-7 minutes.

   • Followed by a 2-minute Q&A session.
   • Focus: Pitch your idea with the goal of convincing judges to invest in your venture.

7. Presentation should include supplemental materials:

   • Product samples
   • Pictures or visual/video aids (PowerPoint, TV advertisement, etc.)
   • Poster boards or display boards

8. Project ideas must be original and innovative.

   • Proof of origination should be available if requested.
   • Business idea may be new or already implemented by the presenting group.

9. Judging criteria based on official MIST Business Venture ballot.

10. Primary criteria: “Would I invest in this company?”

Outline Requirements

The Business Venture Outline must be:

• Typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 point font
• Cover page with title and MIST IDs only, stapled on left side
• Include visual aids (pictures, charts, graphs) - no physical samples
• Maximum 6 pages

Required Sections

Section	Description
Executive Summary	Summary of venture, description, market analysis, marketing plan, and financial plan (max 2 pages)
Introduction	Describe product/service in detail - how it works, makes money, value in industry
Market Analysis	Target customers, competitors, market characteristics and size, demand
Marketing Plan	Strategy, competitive advantages, testing approach, timeline, specific strategies
Financial Plan	Budget, startup funding needs, profit potential, key financial considerations
Project Viability	Biggest threats, stability vs. risk assessment, risk factors and mitigation
Discussion	Contribution to Muslim and general community, relation to theme, expansion plans

Note

The questions in each section are guides. Teams don’t need to answer all questions, but all topics must be addressed.

Checklist

• Business Venture Outline (6 pages max)
• Supplemental materials for group presentation
• Submission labeled with MIST IDs (all group members) and Competition Name

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Interactive Scoring Ballot

Interactive Ballot

Enter scores to calculate the total automatically.

Criteria	Score
Section A: Technical (10 points)
Technical Presenter(s) are on time for competition Presentation is 5-7 minutes, with 3 minutes for Q&A No identifiers aside from MIST ID Presenter(s) look credible and dressed for interview
Section Subtotal	0 / 10
Section B: Presentation Components (15 points)
Visual Aid Did presenters use a visual aid? Was the visual presentation neat and comprehensible? Did presenters tie their project with the visual aid?
Introduction, Body & Conclusion Did introduction grab attention? Was business venture clearly stated? Introduction brief and concise? Effective use of signposting, internal summaries, transitions? Logical progression of ideas? Adequate time for each section within 5-7 minutes? Conclusive tie of presentation? Note of finality?
Section Subtotal	0 / 15
Section C: Presentation Delivery (20 points)
Delivery Natural, lively, spontaneous delivery? Clear enunciation and appropriate volume? Varied gestures, motivated movement, direct eye contact? Sufficient variety in rate, pause, and pitch?
Language Style Command of conversational style? Language suitable to inform audience? Precise, grammatically correct, vivid language?
Section Subtotal	0 / 20
Section D: Analysis & Content (20 points)
Presentation Analysis & Content Questions answered clearly? Informative content pertinent to project idea? Sufficient logic, facts, examples, visual aids, expert opinion? Business venture within competitors' ability scope? Original approach? Well thought-out with initiative in thought and design?
Section Subtotal	0 / 20
Section E: Business Venture Outline (35 points)
Business Venture Outline Executive Summary identifies problem and business proposition? Identifies customers, competitors, and viability? Sound value proposition with clear product concept? Demonstrates customer need/want? Market Analysis shows evidence of research? Target market and competitors clearly established? Sustainable competitive advantage? Clear and appropriate Marketing Plan? Reasonable Financial Plan with key considerations addressed? Creativity and innovation exemplified?
Section Subtotal	0 / 35
Theme incorporated into Business Venture (+3 points)	+3
Total Score	0 / 100