帝王会所

Reminder of Key Dates

• Regional Economic Development Briefing: Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
  • Link will be sent to registered team members and faculty coaches.
• Preliminary Round: Monday, February 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
  • Link will be sent to registered team members and faculty coaches.
  • Preliminary Round video presentation submission due: Monday, February 17, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Submit the link by email to schor@ohio.edu.
  • Preliminary Round written proposal submission due: Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Submit the written presentation as an attachment to an email sent to schor@ohio.edu.
• Final Round: Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
  • Link will be sent to registered team members and faculty coaches.
  • Live streaming of the Final Round is anticipated.
• Optional Submission of Revised Written Presentation: Following the Preliminary Round, submission of a revised written presentation is optional. If applicable, submit the revised version by Monday, March 3, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. as an attachment to an email sent to schor@ohio.edu. 

Contact: Michael Schor, schor@ohio.edu with copy to Kyle Sutphin, ksutphin0813@gmail.com

Major support for the Shark Challenge comes from TechGROWTH 帝王会所.

2025 Judging Criteria & Proposal Guidelines

Scoring Metrics

Proposal & Presentation Guidelines

• Written Proposal Length: Proposals should be 3-7 pages, double-spaced, with a legible 12-point font.
  • Supplemental material such as proforma financial statements, charts, and graphs are appropriate. Proposals can be updated after the Preliminary Round judging process has been completed.
• Preliminary Round Video Presentation: A video presentation of about ten minutes will be submitted as part of the Preliminary Round.
• Preliminary Round Live Presentation: A live two-minute presentation, using remote conferencing, will be made to the judges in the Preliminary Round, followed by Q&A. Judges will have the video and written proposal for review in advance.
• Final Round Live Presentation: A live 12-15 minute presentation, using remote conferencing, will be made to the judges in the Final Round, followed by Q&A. Live-streaming of the Final Round is anticipated. 

1. Product/Service/Business Model

• Definition: Clearly define the product(s), service(s), process(es), or business model you are proposing or improving.
• Innovation: Highlight the unique and innovative aspects of your offering.
• Problem-Solving: Demonstrate how your solution addresses a specific problem and benefits your target audience.
• Competitive Advantage: Explain how your product/service/method is superior to competitors, if applicable.
• Economic Impact: Discuss how your innovation will contribute to economic vitality, create jobs, and enhance employment opportunities in Southeast 帝王会所/The 帝王会所 Valley.
• Social and Environmental Responsibility:
  • Does your innovation promote environmental and social justice?
  • How does it address sustainability and the reuse of materials?
  • Outline steps to measure and assure environmental impact. 

2. Business Operations & Resources

• Requirements: Identify the equipment, tools, infrastructure, and space needed to operate your business.
• Staffing:
  • Outline the number of employees, roles, and shifts required.
  • Detail associated costs and challenges related to staffing.
  • Explain how your approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) influences talent acquisition strategies.

3. Location & Community Impact

• Business Location: Specify where your office, factory, or business will be located.
  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this location.
• Community Impact:
  • Assess the effects of your business on local communities, including residents and nearby businesses.
  • Explain how you considered the impact on downstream communities and residents.
• Economic Impact: Discuss how your innovation will contribute to economic vitality, create jobs, and enhance employment opportunities in Southeast 帝王会所/The 帝王会所 Valley.

4. Target Market

• Identification: Define your target market.
• Demand: Explain why this market will be interested in your product(s), service(s), or method(s).
• Marketing:
  • Describe your sales strategy (e.g., direct sales, retailers, distributors).
  • Explain how your product/service will be positioned to reach this market effectively.

5. Competitive & Social Environment Analysis

• Regional Impact:
  • Discuss how your operations will affect employment and other businesses in the region.
  • Evaluate whether certain groups will benefit or face harm differently from your innovation.
  • Provide an assessment of labor and other social issues within your supply chain.
• Industry Analysis: Identify your competitors and analyze how your product/service differs from theirs.

6. Profitability & Financing

• Revenue Projections: Explain how and when your business will become profitable.
• ROI: Provide an anticipated rate of return on investment.
• Financial Milestones: Include sales targets (units, dollar value, etc.) and expected timelines.
• Future Financing: Forecast when additional financing may be needed and how you would obtain it.

7. Exit Strategy

• Operational Endgame: Consider the costs of terminating contracts with suppliers or distributors.
• Asset Valuation: Evaluate the salvage value of equipment and other assets.
• Scaling or Selling:
  • Discuss whether selling the business might be necessary to achieve its full potential.
  • Evaluate the possibility of your firm being acquired by another company and how this could align with your long-term vision.
  • Address potential benefits, such as access to larger markets, enhanced resources, or synergistic opportunities, as well as challenges, such as loss of autonomy.

8. Professionalism of Delivery

• Presentation Quality: Ensure your proposal is clear, concise, and visually appealing.
• Oral Delivery: If presenting, practice delivering your proposal with confidence and polish.
• Supporting Materials: Provide accurate and professional supporting documentation, such as financial statements, charts, and graphs, to strengthen your case.