CEDAR Inc.

ECLRP Judge’s Business Evaluation

Student teams are encouraged to investigate and research ways to re-purpose abandoned
mined lands, and/or reclaimed mined lands that could provide economic stimulation to our
region.

Each team is asked to present an elevator pitch that describes their business, product or service
in a compelling and concise way. It is called a ‘elevator pitch’ because it addresses the
question, “How would you explain your business if fate placed you in an elevator and you only
had the time it takes to get from the first to the top floor –about 75 seconds. A good elevator
pitch is one that captures the listener’s attention quickly, is persuasive, excites interest and
answers the following questions:
 What is your company’s product and service?
 What sets your company apart from the competition?
 Why you? What makes your team and strategic partners qualified to get the job done?
 What is the opportunity for an investor?

Guidelines for Business Plan

 Use the rubric/score sheet for specific elements to be included in your presentation

Business Name:

I. Business RATING (1-5)* COMMENTS

1=poor; 5=excellent
1 2 3 4 5
Opportunity: “Elevator speech” that clearly articulates
the business idea and how the site is an asset for the
business.
Innovation: Originality/uniqueness of plan in
addressing an unmet need or desire

II. BUSINESS PLAN RATING (1-5)* COMMENTS

Written Summary: 1=poor; 5=excellent
Clear, concise, compelling summary of their business.

Product/Service/Non-profit: Clearly explains the

product, service, or non-profit mission and how the site
is an asset to the proposed business. What is the
competitive advantage of this product or service?
Whose needs or wants will be satisfied?

Market Analysis:
What are the national and international trends that this
business might address? How did you conduct research
about why there is a need or want for your product or
service?
What is the competition?
How did you identify customers? What is your plan
about how they will be targeted?
Management Team: What are the core
competencies of team members and strategic partners?
Financial Strategy:
What kind of investment is needed to start this
venture? Where are you most likely to secure these
resources for start-up?
What is the cost per product or service?
What are the fixed costs?
Promotion costs?

Return on Investment:
How will your organization earn revenue?
What are the revenue projections over a 3-5 year
period? When will you make a profit?
What will be the return to investors?

Decision to Pursue: Is this a realistic business

opportunity? What are the realistic risks associated with
business venture?

III. ORGANIZATION OF Written Summary: RATING (1-5) COMMENTS

Usage of Professional Writing: proper grammar,

capitalization, and sentence structure. Data to support
your assumptions, quality research.
Research: Provide data to support your analysis
Above and Beyond: Anything done above and beyond
expectations.

IV. QUALITY OF ORAL PRESENTATION RATING (1-5) COMMENTS

Completeness/Comprehensiveness

Professionalism of the Presentation

Creativity of the Presentation

 Pitch
 Market Research Survey Results
 Is the venture worth investing in?

Wow Factor. Judges Professional Discretion

Responsiveness to and handling of questions
V. OVERALL COMMENTS ON THE PLAN