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The University of Tennessee

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Submission Requirements

The BPC sponsors independent warm-up events intended to help students prepare for the Business Plan Competition. Although students are encouraged to get involved early on, participation in these warm-up events is NOT required to enter the Business Plan Competition.

Student teams must submit a hard copy of the “Certifications and Agreements Form” (compete agreement) with their final Business Plan submission. Student teams may not compete unless they consent to the “Compete Agreement”. A copy of the agreement is included on this site and may be downloaded.

Business Plan Guidelines – Although there is not one format for successful plans, we ask that submitted plans meet the following criteria:

  1. Cover Page: Plans must have a cover page listing the company name, contact person for the student team, address, telephone, and e-mail information.
  2. Maximum Length: The body of the plans (excluding cover page, table of contents and appendices) must be no more than twenty (20) numbered pages in length (typed and double spaced; one inch margins all around; no more than 12 point font) including all tables, graphs, photos, references, and summary financial information. Detailed spreadsheets and appropriate appendices may follow the text portion of the plan but will be limited to ten (10) pages. In total, the plan must be no longer than thirty (30) pages.
  3. Executive Summary: Plans must include an executive summary that concisely describes the content of the business plan. Your opening paragraph should contain a brief description defining and positioning your business. Specific criteria are not specified for the rest of the executive summary, but it should generally not be longer than three (3) pages and is considered to be part of the body of the plan (20 pages).
  4. Appendices: Appendices should be included only when they support the body of the plan. Because judges might not read all the material in the appendices, the body of the plan (20 pages) must contain all information pertinent to the plan.
  5. Financial Data: Plans must present financial data including cash flow statement, income statement, and balance sheet. The complete pro forma financials should be included in the appendices.
  6. Ownership Data: Plans must present the equity ownership of the venture. This information may be used both by judges as part of their assessment of the plan and by the organizers of the BPC to verify compliance to eligibility rules.