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The 3rd National CURAD Agribusiness Innovation Challenge 2016 Application Guidelines
Application Guidelines
In order to apply, the applicants should log onto the CURAD website www.curadincubator.org. Applicants can either download the application form from the website and send by email to [email protected], [email protected] , [email protected] or apply online starting 13/05/16 and ending 13/07/16.
Thereafter, all applicants must complete the information below and answer the questions within the character limits indicated. This document is simply a guide to help applicants in formulating their answers prior to completing the application.
Step One
The first step is to determine in which category or sector you want to compete. It will, however, be at CURAD’s discretion to move you to another category if CURAD feels you can be more competitive there.
Category Select OneBest Student Agri-prenuerBest Woman EntrepreneurBest Youth EntrepreneurBest Established EnterpriseBest New Product (Coffee Industry)Best New Processing TechnologyBest Coffee Farmers Group EnterpriseBest New Coffee Trade IdeaBest Start up EnterpriseBest Agri-business ICT enterprise
Step Two
Define your stage of business development based on the definitions below:
Type of Business Please indicate what description below best defines where you are with your business. We would also like to know how many people you employ at this point in time.
Tick a box
Number of people you employ?
Start-Up If your business is at the start-up phase, you will be in the very first stage of gathering the necessary market intelligence to start your
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business. You may just be at the idea stage or just beginning to look for finance and technical support to launch your business.
New If you are a new enterprise, then your business will have been operational for more than 6 months, but less than 3,5 years. At this stage, you should be looking for further support to grow or expand your business or to create more jobs and take it to the next level.
Emerging If you are an emerging or embryonic enterprise, then you will already be in the first phase of starting up your business. Typically, these enterprises have been operating for six months or less and may need further technical and financial support to fully establish themselves.
Existing If you are an established enterprise then you will have been in operation for more than 3,5 years. Most businesses at this stage need further support to grow or expand in order to create more jobs.
Step Three
Complete the information below so we can get to know more about you.
Applicant InformationName of ApplicantHave you ever participated in the CURAD Challenge?
Yes No
If Yes under which category did you participate in ?From which region are you applying? North/East West CentralName of Business (if existing)AddressContact NumberEmail AddressGender (tick a box) Male FemaleWhat is your highest level of education?What other qualifications do you have that support your knowledge of the business or sector?
Step Four
Answer the questions below within the character limits indicated. When completing the application, exceeding these limits will not be allowed.
Business Concept1 Describe your business concept: Summarize what your business does or what it sells, your target market, your
operations and who works in your business; if a new business, explain your business idea, the product or service and how you intend to operate your business. (5000 character limit)
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2 Explain the gap in the market that your business is trying to address. (2000 character limit)
3 How did you determine that this gap or opportunity exists? What research did you use to support your case? (2000 character limit)
4 Explain what makes your business or idea innovative? What’s new or different about what you’re doing? (2000 character limit)
5 Explain how your background and experience will contribute to the success of the business or in filling this gap. Tell us about the others you have worked with; their skills and experience. (4000 character limit)
6 Tell us why you believe you will make a successful entrepreneur. Give examples of what you’ve done in the past that was entrepreneurial (2000 character limit)
7 How many jobs do you anticipate you will create through this business idea or expansion. Explain whether these are part-time, seasonal, or full-time jobs. (2000 character limit)
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8 How much funding do you believe you need and how will it be used in the business? (2000 character limit)
Please review your answers carefully. Applicants will be notified by email on the 7th of September, 2016 whether they have been shortlisted or not. Please re-visit the website to view the key dates and events if you are unsure of the process.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
The deadline for submissions is 13th July 2016
JudgingEach application will be scored by a team of sector experts from our sponsors, partners and internal staff of CURAD on the basis of (1) innovation, (2) competitiveness of your idea or business case, (3) depth of understanding of your business environment, (4) linkages to perceived gaps in the market, (5) projected number of jobs to be created, and (6) need for funding or other prize support or assistance to make the business start-up or expansion possible.
Judges will identify a shortlist of the five best applications per category or sector. Short-listed applicants will be invited to an optional presentation skills training session one week prior to the judging. We strongly encourage everyone on the short-list to attend one of the sessions offered. Shortlisted applicants will go on to participate in a panel-judging event on the 02nd Sept, 2016.
Each participant will be required to present a seven-minute “pitch” to a panel of judges. Judges will use this opportunity to determine how serious you are about your business idea and will evaluate the merits of your case. The final decision regarding the winners in each of the categories will be announced on the 25th of September 2016 at the Final Gala Event.
Good luck!
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