SELECTION CRITERIA
Selection Process
After the closing date on Friday 26th September 2008 all business plans will be grouped into each of the four regions on the island they have entered from:
- Dublin (City and County)
- Northern Ireland
- Munster
- Connacht & Leinster*
* plus counties Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal and excluding county Dublin.
In addition, each plan will be grouped into one of the two new categories referred to:
- Emerging International Company
- Emerging Company
An initial selection panel will read, assess and score all business plans entered and will short-list the top business plans from each region in both categories.
In early November 2008, these selected regional finalists in each category will be invited to make an investment pitch to a panel of judges. Each of the short-listed entrants will be provided with 15 minutes to make their pitch. This will be followed by a 20 minute question and answer session with the judges. Judges may request further information from applicants to substantiate the contents of their business plan. On this basis two winners will be selected for each of the four regions (one from each category).
Each of these regional winners will be invited to attend an Investment Pitch master class to help them prepare for the overall final on 27th November. Each winner will also be asked to complete an Executive Summary document (approximately 5 pages in total) summarising their business plan. This document will be made available to the panel of judges in advance of the overall final.
Four regional winners will go forward to compete for the overall prize in the Emerging International category and the remaining four regional winners will compete for the overall prize in the Emerging Company category.
The winner of the Special award for the best venture stemming from a university spin-out or platform programme shall be made by the EquityNetwork Executive after all regional finals have taken place and the decision shall be supported by recommendations made by the judging panels.
