| A. Reality check.
Please score the venture (3) according to these eight initial criteria: |
Probably NO
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Probably NO but a plan exists to address the issue
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Probably YES
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1 Is there a written and fully current business plan?
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2 Are there current financial statements and cash-flow
projections prepared or reviewed by an outside accountant?
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3 Does the business concept appear to be based on sound
technical and business principles (i.e., does it make sense?)?
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4 Is the time needed to reach positive cash-flow appropriate?
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5 Based on the company’s achieving the financing it now seeks,
will adequate financial resources be available?
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6 If the business opportunity is based on proprietary technology,
is the proprietary position adequately protected?
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7 Is there good personal chemistry among the principals?
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8 Do the personal financial needs of the principals
match the capacity of the business?
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| B.Market Opportunity
Using the check-off scale (3), please give this venture a rough ranking
for each of the listed factors. |
Probably Inadequate
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Probably equal to the competition
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Probably better than most competition
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Potentially outstanding
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I cannot tell
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1 Evaluate the company’s belief that is has a significant and
credible market opportunity (i.e., is the product or service or
business system distinctive or an order of magnitude better in performance?).
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2 Assess the company’s market approach including strategies
for dealing effectively with customer indifference (or lack of knowledge),
competitive offerings, and other economic forces.
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3 Evaluate the company’s ability, as a new entrant in this
market niche, to survive long enough to succeed.
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| D.Technology issues
Using the check-off scale (3), please give this venture a rough ranking
for each of the listed factors. |
Probably Inadequate
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Probably equal to the competition
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Probably better than most competition
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Potentially outstanding
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I cannot tell
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1 Assess the feasibility of the stated technology development
goals and technology application objectives.
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2 Compare the proposed development program with existing
technologies (or with possible competing and future technologies).
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3 Assess the company’s technical achievements to date.
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4 Assess the company’s plan for obtaining any necessary regulatory
or trade association approvals.
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| F. Commercialization
program
Using the check-off scale (3), please give this venture a rough ranking
for each of the listed factors. |
Probably Inadequate
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Probably equal to the competition
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Probably better than most competition
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Potentially outstanding
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I cannot tell
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1 Assess the proposed commercialization timetable,
in terms of....
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1.1 R&D timetable
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1.2 protecting proprietary rights
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1.3 marketing timetable
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1.4 manufacturing timetable
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1.5 possible regulatory factors
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2 Comment on the company’s sales function and its ability
to compete in the marketplace.
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3 Evaluate the company’s methods of distribution.
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4 Evaluate the company’s approach to customer support.
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5 Evaluate the company’s financial control, management,
and strategic planning capabilities.
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6 Evaluate the feasibility of the company’s commercializationmilestones.
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