Questions to the right are provided to prompt your thinking, and are not part of the formal application.
| For all applicants: |
| Category | Elements | Prompting Questions for Applicants |
Science Team
10 Points | Team are experts in this particular field
- Collectively possess a deep understanding of this problem or field of study
- Are knowledgeable about other attempts to solve the same problem
- Need not be experienced entrepreneurs
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- How or Why is this science team best qualified?
- What is the lengthy of experience of each of the Science team members?
- What is the quality of experience (i.e. what other problems has this team tackled?)
- Do any of the team members have published works?
- Other related experience
- Any previous breakthroughs or noteworthy inventions?
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Strength of Technology or Product Offering
30 Points | Technology is unique and addresses a specific problem in the marketplace
- Patents are strong
- Position is proprietary
- Ownership is clear
- Credible third parties have validated claims
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- What are the intellectual property rights held?
- How are they held?
- What are the competing technologies?
- What can the technology do for a user?
- Can it be easily copied or reverse engineered?
- What is the potential impact of the technology?
- Describe the break-through nature of the technology.
- Why was it originally developed?
- Is it ready for commercial use?
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Potential Position in the Marketplace
10 Points | Technology lends itself easily to products
- Technology is useful as a platform for many products
- Product concepts are elegant or particularly innovative
- Lead product or application is close to market
- A working prototype exists and/or has been tested
- Credible third parties have validated claims
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- What are the products that are possible with the technology?
- What problems are solved?
- Do other products accomplish the same service?
- Why would your products be substantially better?
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Market
Opportunity
30 Points | Potential is large and/or growing
- Market is expanding
- Entrance is not overly difficult for applicant
- Credible third parties have tested or validated claims
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- Who are the end users or customers?
- How big is the market?
- How is it differentiated relative to product concepts?
- Is it emerging or well established?
- What is driving fundamental demand?
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Value Proposition
20 Points | The investment or licensing opportunity is attractive relative to other opportunities
- Upside is not artificially or unduly limited
- Path to a deal is unobstructed
- Founders are open to a variety of deal structures
| Are you seeking capital or a licensing partner?
- What should be expected by investors (or licensee, or grantee), and why?
If capital:
- In what form (i.e. debt or equity)?
- Are you willing to provide a meaningful equity stake in the new enterprise?
- How will the capital be used?
- What benefits will be accomplished?
If licensing partner:
- how does your technology "fit" with existing suppliers/manufacturers or products?
- Who are your preferred partners? What characteristics are you seeking?
- Any preferred deal structures? Are you open to offers?
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| If applicant is an operating company: |
Business Model Worthy of consideration
yes/no | The model is appropriate to fully capture the market potential | What is the company's legal status?
- Who are the shareholders?
- What is the history of the company?
- What is the business model?
- Why is this the optimal business model?
- How will sales be generated?
- What is the cost structure?
- Describe the break-even scenario
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Management Worthy of consideration
yes/no | Managers are up to the task of implementing the business model | Who leads the Company?
- Who are the key managers?
- What expertise do they hold?
- What experience do the members have with new ventures?
- With venture capital, the target markets, the technology?
- What holes remain on the team?
- Has the team worked together in the past? With what success?
- How is equity shared with managers and current investors?
- Who serves on the board, and why?
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