2010 Business "Cap"athon Information -- CLICK FOR PACKET

April 27, 2010 Business "Cap"athon--Business Plan Competition

Important Dates

Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Application due by 3 p.m.

Friday, March 26, 2010
Eight (8) teams selected and notified

Wednesday, April 7, 2010
2:15 p.m. HS Library—Inform-ational Meeting w/8 team leaders

Wednesday, April 14, 2009
Rough Draft of PPT due –submit to Mr. Pappas

Tuesday, April 27, 2009
Judging and Award Ceremony
HS Library 7 p.m.

2009 Winners

The Career Advisory Partnership is excited to annonce the winners of the first Rocky Point Career Advisory Partnership Business Plan Competition or “CAP”athon.

1st Place:  Team Inspire ($100 each winner)

         Jade Herbstman, Grade 10
         Cindy Vasquez, Grade 12
         Charlotte Davis, Grade 10

2nd Place:  Team Neox ($50 each winner)

       Francesca Belanich, Grade 9
       Natasha Belanich, Grade 11
       Kelly Guthy, Grade 11

Thanks to the generosity of The Bank of Smithtown, the remaining non-winning team members (5 in total), will each receive $25 each.

Read the article about our CAPathon in the Times Beacon Record.

Theme: “Redesigning Downtown Rocky Point”

2009 CAPathon Application Word | PDF

Competition Highlights

The Career Advisory Partnership is excited to invite you to participate in the first Rocky Point Career Advisory Partnership Business Plan Competition or “CAP”athon. The goal of this competition is to provide an opportunity for Rocky Point High School students to learn about entrepreneurship through the development and presentation of a business idea to a panel of judges. Anyone can be an entrepreneur and we want to help give high school students with good ideas the opportunity to put those ideas into motion.

What's in it for students?

• Learn about business development, marketing, and planning
• Develop presentation, networking, interpersonal, and
  team-building skills
• Be a part of the cutting edge - future young entrepreneurs
• Present at a competition in front of prominent business people
• Opportunity to win a cash gift card

What is the plan’s topic? Redesigning Downtown Rocky Point

Who can participate? Any student in grades 9-12

How many people can be on a team?
Teams must have at least two (2) and no more than four (4) members. You may also want to work with local business people, teachers or professional mentors who will guide your work, answer questions, assist your team’s planning, and help you to work productively.

How many teams can compete?
Only 8 teams will be selected during the preliminary round to compete on April 27. Teams will be selected by a panel of judges including representatives from the business community. Teams will be chosen based on the Executive Summary/Proposal submitted.

What are the prizes?

• $ 100 VISA gift card to each member of the 1st place team
• $50 VISA gift card to each member of the 2nd place team
• $25 VISA gift card to each member of the 3rd place team

Who should I see for an application?
See Mr. Pappas or Mrs. Wilson. Submit the application on or before March 19, 2009.

No late submissions will be accepted.

What Judges Look for in a Business Plan

All good business plans convey a sound business idea. The actual written plan (in this case the PPT) can do a lot to help you get your plan off the ground. It demonstrates that you have considered the relevant key variables that are important to the success of the idea.

Judges will be looking for the following:

Viability - Is the downtown redesign your are presenting seem reasonable and supported by a sound strategy?

Maturity and Reality  -Does the team understand the nature of the redesign they are proposing, and are their assumptions, projections, and solutions realistic?

Experience - Does the team have a management strategy to make the plan a success?

Dedication - How has the team evidenced the tenacity required to launch and grow a downtown revitalization plan?

In addition to the above, attention to the following nuts and bolts will help:

Writing style - Develop and write your PPT for the educated, intelligent person and avoid jargon. Include a glossary, if needed, for easy reference.

Graphics - Graphics in your PPT should help tell a story. Use them where they make sense.

Edit and re-edit - Before submitting your PowerPoint, run it by people who will give you an honest assessment — about your idea and how it is presented. Typos, misspellings, and grammatical errors should be avoided at all costs.

RESOURCES

• How to write a business plan
• How to Write a Business Plan: Ten Questions with Tim Berry