Business & Finance assignment

BUS-W212 EXPLORE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

DEAL SCREENER – FINAL PROJECT

OVERVIEW To integrate and demonstrate what you have learned about entrepreneurship throughout the semester, your team will participate in the following simulation for the final project. Our class is now a certified network of roughly 60 angel investors, “The 212 Angels,” a group of individuals looking to invest their own money in the launch and growth of early-stage ventures for a future return. As members of the network, your team is responsible for identifying and carefully evaluating “deals” for the group’s consideration. Following a conversation with Wefunder founder Mike Norman, the President of “212 Angels” has divided the network into teams and tasked each team with screening the investment potential of two ventures on the platform. DELIVERABLES Each team will turn in a written report (minimum of 7 pages, double-spaced) containing a brief summary and Lean Canvas of the two ventures, an evaluation of the various aspects of the businesses, an investment decision on each venture, and a thorough rationale behind these decisions. Specifically, you should evaluate the following for each venture: industry; competitors; target market; value proposition; business model; management team; marketing plan; social/environmental impact of the business. Roughly half of the report should state your investment decisions on the ventures and provide a detailed rationale for each decision. As part of the “212 Angels” governing bylaws, you have a maximum of $100,000 to invest in these two companies, if you so choose. You do not have to invest any or the entire amount, and you cannot split it 50/50 between them. If you wish to stage your investment (for example, offering an initial $15,000 with the option for a subsequent $20,000 to a venture), you must outline the performance indicators/milestones your team would be monitoring or need to see before releasing the second set of funds. To reach your investment decisions, you should conduct your own research that extends well beyond the information provided on the Wefunder platform. You are highly encouraged to use class materials and relevant outside resources. As a starting point, Table 14.1 of the Kuratko etext, “Performing Due Diligence,” offers a number of helpful questions to consider when evaluating a business for investment.

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Each team will then deliver a 5-minute PowerPoint presentation detailing their investment decisions and rationales to the rest of the network. At least two presenters are required to present; not all team members need to present. Business casual dress is required and the presentation should be highly polished and professional. The presentation should also be persuasive, as the network has several options to consider and limited funds, leaving little room for mistakes! Similarly, as members of the network, your performance has reputational and financial implications. Following all of the presentations, the “212 Angels” will vote on the top team that should proceed with their proposed deal, based on the quality and persuasiveness of their evaluation and investment recommendations.

Monday, April 22, 2019 Upload Paper & PPT to Canvas Team Grade Beginning of Class (One per Team) 100 Points ® F )