DLI Business Plan Competition 2024

Participants will develop and present a business plan that reflects the theme of shaping the future through youth-driven, socially impactful business solutions. Each team will pick one category listed below and prepare a comprehensive business proposal, that communicates their idea. The top 5 teams will have the opportunity to present their prototype in Deakin University Lancaster University Indonesia Campus and deliver a final presentation to a panel of judges. The Prototype can be a physical, digital, or conceptual product.

Categories:

1. “Digital Business for a Sustainable Future”

Students create business plans that leverage digital tools (for example, digital tools in analytics or e-commerce)  to solve sustainability challenges. This theme encourages creativity while aligning with global goals like reducing carbon footprints or promoting eco-friendly products.

2. “Future of Finance and Smart Money Management”

With a focus on finance and accounting, this theme could encourage students to develop solutions that help people (particularly youth) better manage personal finances through technology. Business plans could involve budgeting apps, investment platforms, or education-based services.

3. “Securing Our Digital World”

With cyber security and computer science in mind, this theme invites students to design a business plan for a product or service that tackles cyber security for small businesses or families. This could be anything from an educational platform to a simple device or service enhancing online security.

4. “Innovating Commerce with AI and Analytics”

In this theme, students create business plans for e-commerce solutions that use data analytics or artificial intelligence to improve customer experience, such as predictive shopping or personalized marketing. This aligns well with business analytics, commerce, and computer science.

5. “Community-Based Business Solutions”

This theme can encourage students to focus on local community issues, such as creating businesses that address specific needs within their schools or neighborhoods. Ideas could include local commerce solutions, accessible finance tools, or tech-driven initiatives to help small businesses.

The following recommended structure for your business plan:

1. Executive Summary (1 page)
   1. Overview of the business idea.
   2. Mission statement.
   3. Brief description of the problem being addressed.
   4. Proposed solution or product.
2. Business Description (1-2 pages)
   1. Detailed explanation of the product/service.
   2. Unique selling proposition (USP).
   3. Target market and audience.
3. Market Analysis (1-2 pages)
   1. Overview of industry.
   2. Analysis of target customers.
   3. Competitor analysis and differentiation.
4. Marketing & Sales Strategy (1-2 pages)
   1. Branding and positioning strategy.
   2. Marketing channels and tactics.
   3. Sales strategy and customer engagement.
5. Operations Plan (1-2 pages)
   1. Overview of business operations and resources needed.
   2. Key partnerships or suppliers.
   3. Distribution or delivery channels.
6. Financial Plan (1-2 pages)
   1. Estimated startup costs.
   2. Projected income and expenses.
   3. Break-even analysis.
7. Conclusion and Impact (1 page)
   1. Summarize the business’s potential impact on the community or target market.
   2. Highlight the long-term vision for the business.
8. Prototype Development (for finalists only)
   1. Students should develop a visual or digital prototype of their product or service idea when they go to the final round.
   2. For example, a fintech app prototype could be created in Figma or a similar tool.
   3. Physical products can be presented as models or sketches.

Proposals will be evaluated based on these key criteria:

1. Relevance to Theme
   1. How well does the business plan align with the theme “Shaping the Future”?
2. Innovation and Creativity
   1. Is the idea unique or does it bring a fresh approach to existing solutions?
3. Feasibility
   1. Can this business idea realistically succeed? Are the financials and operations plan sound?
4. Market Understanding
   1. Does the team show an understanding of the target audience and market conditions?
5. Social and Environmental Impact
   1. Does the business idea positively impact the community or address social/environmental issues?
6. Presentation & Prototype (for finalists only)
   1. How effectively does the team communicate their idea?
   2. Is the prototype or visual representation well-designed and functional?

1. Written Proposal Submission
   1. Each team must submit a digital copy of their written proposal by the deadline to marketing@dli.ac.id  in PDF with the email title “school name_DLI Business Plan Competition” The document should follow the provided structure and not exceed 13 pages.
   2. For teams with students from multiple schools, please put “Multiple Schools_DLI Business Plan Competition” and list the schools of the members in the email.
2. Prototype Requirements (for finalists)
   1. Teams should develop a basic prototype if applicable. Digital prototypes can be designed using any tools and physical product ideas can use sketches or handcrafted.
3. Final Presentation
   1. Teams will present their business plan and prototype to a panel of judges.
   2. Presentations should last 15-20 minutes and be followed by a Q&A session with judges.
   3. Presenters should focus on clearly explaining their idea, the problem it solves, and its potential impact.

• Proposal Submission Deadline: 17 December 2024
• Final Presentation Day: 16 January 2024

• Start with the Problem: Clearly identify the problem you are trying to solve and why it matters.
• Focus on Uniqueness: Explain how your idea stands out from similar products or services.
• Consider the Audience: Think about who will use your product and how you’ll reach them.
• Think Sustainability: Highlight any environmental or social benefits your business could bring.
• Keep it Simple but Detailed: Aim for a well-organized, clear proposal that covers all aspects without unnecessary complexity.