Each group will prepare a business plan to participate in UNL’s contest Nova Idea Competition. The members of each group should make a pitch where they are expected to put themselves in the shoes of a top manager who wants to convince a group of investors that the ideas supporting their project are outstanding and should be financed by them.
Students should have in mind that on both the business plan and the final elevator pitch the three main key criteria to be taken into account are:

Market and Product

1- Team- The quality of the team, dynamism, potential, commitment, previous experience and/or knowledge of the industry/market that the participants wish to enter.

2- Market- The dimensions of the targeted market (local, national, European, Global?) that the product has the possibility to reach while taking into account the limitations of the proposed project, such as the existence of alternative products, trade barriers etc.

3- Product- The innovative property of a solution, technology and approach to the suggested markets. The capacity to create a sustainable and competitive advantage. Capacity to protect the intellectual property. Difficulty for competition to copy the product, etc.

Students should be ready to answer for the following questions:

1) Team:

a) What is the overall quality of the promoting team?
b) Degree of diversity (cultural, background, professional experience)?
c) Know-how about the industry/market?
d) Network of contacts and key partnerships?
e) Partners and VCs: Protection and exit strategies?

2) Market:

a) Who will be the first clients? Are you sure they will buy?
b) Justification of market existence?
c) Which market needs have not been satisfied?
d) Is the solution/technology/service superior to competitors regarding these particular dimensions?
e) To what extent is the solution/technology/service appropriate to the market?
f) Is it targeted to a Blue Ocean or is it capable of offering sustainable competitive advantage (i.e. profit+ growth) in a Red Ocean?
g) Market size: Is the target the World, Europe, Portugal, Lisbon or Campolide?
h) Market potential: Is the target “high ceiling” or “low ceiling” industries?
i) How to create value for the final consumer while considering the SWOT analysis? How to transform weaknesses into strengths? How to transform threats into opportunities?

3) Product/Technology:

a) Is it a “unique” solution/technology/service?
b) IP protection? Is easy to replicate by competitors?
c) Is it already completed and tested in the proposed scenario?
d) How do you compare its attributes to solutions provided by direct and indirect com