Submission Guidelines

HKUST-Sino One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition 2023

 

The suggested contents outlined below are only for reference. The final contents of your submission are fully determined by your teams’ discretion and needs.

5-page Pitch Deck Guidelines

The pitch deck should briefly introduce and focus on the innovativeness and/or technology content, commercial feasibility, team capability and social community impact of the proposed product, service or business model. It should introduce your business and your product, and to highlight the strengths of your plan. Below are some suggested contents for reference – 

  • Identify the problem – how significance / relevant is the problem
  • Innovation of the solution – summarize the problem or opportunity and address how the company's product or services will address the need
  • Brief business outlines such as business names, and a description of the product or service the company intends to provide
  • Appeal to others – how to engage and captivate attentions, so that people would like to know more about the project
  • Potential Market - explains why there is a need in your target market and how your particular solutions can fill it and address your future plans on commercialization. If the business is based on business model innovation, briefly describe how this model is different and/or more efficient than other models.
  • Competitive advantage by explaining how the product differs from other offerings
  • User test result and findings from scientific research
  • Briefly summarize the team that it is in place with the skills they have to make it happens.
  • Potential impact made on social and sustainability

1-min Product Introduction Video Guidelines 

The video should briefly introduce and focus on the innovativeness of the proposed product, service or business model. It should introduce your business and your product, and to highlight the strengths of your plan. Below are some suggested contents for reference -

  • Identify the problem – how significance / relevant is the problem
  • Innovation of the solution – summarize the problem or opportunity and address how the company's product or services will address the need
  • Brief business outlines such as business names, and a description of the product or service the company intends to provide
  • Description of the products
  • Appeal to others – how to engage and captivate attentions, so that people would like to know more about the project
  • Competitive advantage by explaining how the product differs from other offerings

There will be an online product introduction video Q&A activity arranged for the HKUST community. A number of random questions will be generated based on the information below, and participants will have a chance winning a prize after correctly answer a target number of questions. Therefore, please include the following information in your video:

  • Focus Area(s) of the Business Plan
  • How many % of HKUST full-time students in your Team?
  • Where is the technology / innovation that you are proposing in your business plan originated from?
  • How did your team get the right to use the technology?
  • Do you need to recruit more team members?

 

5-min Pitch Deck Guidelines 

The 5-min Pitch Deck should further explain and provide proof of the innovativeness and/or technology content, commercial feasibility, team capability, social community impact together with scalability of the product/services you are providing. The pitch delivery will also contribute to the score. Below are some suggested contents for reference -

  • Brief business outlines such as business names, and a description of the product or service the company intends to provide.
  • Innovation of the solution – summarize the problem or opportunity and address how the company's product or services will address the need.  Describe the competitive edge and entry barrier.
  • Summarize the problem or opportunity and address how the company's product or services will address a need.
  • Description of the products.
  • Value proposition – product-market Fit and competitive advantage.
  • Customer segments – target market: Specify the target market of the company’s product or services. Who is the first adopter and second adopter of your product/service?
  • Market analysis: What is the market size?
  • The unique value the company brings to the market. Competitive advantage by explaining how the product differs from other offerings.
  • Team formation and credibility 
  • Potential impact made on social and sustainability
  • Scaling plan

Full Business Plan Guidelines

On top of the previous pitch deck criteria, the full business plan should also explain the  fundability potential. The pitch delivery and interaction will also contribute to the final score. Below are some suggested contents for reference –

  • Brief business outlines such as business names, and a description of the product or service the company intends to provide
  • Innovation of the solution – summarize the problem or opportunity and address how the company's product or services will address the need.  Describe the competitive edge and entry barrier.
  • Traction: what has been done and achieved since inception with what resources available
  • Product development plan: critical milestone and project timeline on prototype development, product launch, scientific research and findings
  • General pricing plan for the products or services
  • Target markets
  • Marketing strategies to attract customer base, distribution plan, sales channel
  • Main competition to the company
  • Startup budget: budget plan and projected cash flow
  • Exit Strategy
  • Team formation and credibility
  • Impact on social and sustainability