91调教

Skip to main contentSkip to main navigationSkip to footer content

Questions? Contact Us.

Ty Barrett

Lions Lair Competition Plan Rules

Planning to enter the Lion's Lair Business Plan Contest? Review the official eligibility requirements, written plan guidelines, submission instructions, scoring criteria, and oral presentation details before you submit your plan.  

Key Dates and Actions

  • Plan submission deadline: Prior to midnight, October 21
  • Submit by email to: lionslairFREEuafs
  • Copy your advisor: Include your advisor on your submission email
  • Elevator pitch competition: Wednesday, October 28
  • Questions: Contact Kendall Ross at Kendall.rossFREEuafs 

On this page:

Eligibility

Student Enrollment

  • The competition is open to students currently enrolled at 91调教.

Student Involvement

  • This contest is for a plan, not an actual business start
  • Students must have majority ownership in the business venture
  • Students should serve in "C-level" roles on the management team
  • The student management team and other individuals must collectively own at least 30% of the total equity in the business venture, if allocated
  • Teams/students may enter only one business plan into the competition

Faculty/Staff Advisors

  • Team must find their own advisors
  • Each team must have at least one faculty member as its primary advisor
  • Non-faculty advisors may be allowed with prior approval from 91调教
  • Teams may have more than one advisor
  • The advisor's role is to mentor the team leader and team members during all phases of the competition; advisors cannot be part of the team presentations

Intellectual Property and Permissions

  • Teams may compete with a student-generated idea or one from another individual or entity
  • Licensing technologies from universities or research labs are encouraged
  • Teams may compete with an idea based on technology, product, or service licensed from another source
  • Teams must provide written and signed approval letters from these individuals or entities on professional letterhead, if applicable

Exclusions

  • Ventures ineligible for the competition include buy-outs, expansions of existing companies, real estate syndications, tax shelters, franchises, licensing agreements for distribution outside of 91调教, spin-outs from existing corporations, and other consulting projects or analysis
  • Previous efforts to establish the business, raising capital, presenting business plans to investors, and conducting significant market research outside of the current academic year may lead to disqualification, including business plans submitted in previous Governor's Cup competitions
  • The business should not have received more than $200,000 in equity-related capital or generated over $100,000 in gross revenue prior to the current academic year. Test-marketing project revenue may be excluded

Decision of 91调教

  • The decision of 91调教 is final

Written Plan Guidelines

Format

  • The business plan must not exceed five (5) pages. Appendices are acceptable; however, judges have been advised to focus on your business plan and may not delve deeply into appendices.
  • Cover page and table of contents do not count toward page total.
  • Use 1.5 line spacing, 1-inch margins, and 12-point font.
  • Include startup. name, team members, adn contact information in the document.
  • Files should be named in the format: CompanyName.pdf.
  • The appendix should provide detailed financial information or supporting materials.

Content (90 points)

  • Include the following in your submission:
    • Table of Contents
    • Executive Summary (10 points)
    • Problem (15 points)
    • Solution (15 points)
    • Customers and Idea Validation (10 points)
    • Go-to Market Strategy (10 points)
    • Management Team (10 points)
    • Critical Risks (10 points)
    • Summary Financial Information (10 points)
    • Exit Strategy (if applicable)
  • Appendices should contain 3-5 years of detailed income statements, Intellectual Property (IP) information, and any additional materials referenced in the plan. 

Overall Effectiveness (10 points)

  • Ensure the plan includes all necessary topics.
  • Clearly explain and persuade in presenting each topic.
  • Maintain a compelling narrative.

Written Plan Submission Guidelines

Follow these steps to submit your plan on time. 

Oral Presentation Guidelines

Elevator Pitch Competition (October 28, 2026)

  • At least one team member must present in person to be eligible for any prizes. 
  • Team members present a 3-5 minute elevator pitch.
  • Powerpoint presentations, audio-visuals, or props are allowed. Notecards are also acceptable.
  • Judges have a 3-minute allotment for questions
  • Judges will select one team for "best pitch."

Business Plan Elements and Scoring

Business plans are scored out of a possible 100 points. Teams must earn at least 50 points to qualify for prize money.

Plan Content

Your business plan must contain the following elements;

Cover Page (10 points)

  • Name of Company
  • Name of Team Members
  • Name of Advisors

Table of Contents

Executive Summary (10 points)

The executive summary should be 1.5 - 2 pages and contain:

  • A one- to two-paragraph description of the problem being solved and the proposed solution.
  • Explain how the product or service works.
  • Describe your customer, value proposition, and customer validation process.
  • Explain why your solution is better than current alternatives.
  • Explain why the management team is prepared to lead this venture.
  • Explain how you expect the product or service to be financially viable/profitable.

Problem (10 points)

  • What specific problem or need does your product or service address?
  • Can you provide data on the current market size, growth rate, and potential for expansion?
  • What were prior attempts at solving the problem, and why didn't they work?

Solution (10 points)

  • What is your solution to the problem?
  • What are the key features and benefits of your product or service?
  • Who are your competitors and what is your competitive advantage?
  • What is the unique value proposition for the customer?
  • What is the current state of development?

Customers and Idea Validation (10 points)

  • Who are your specific customers?
  • What initial assumptions were made leading the team to conclude there is market acceptance for your product or service and that you will generate revenue?
  • What activities (interviews, surveys, presentations, prototyping, tests, etc.) did your team conduct with potential customers to validate these assumptions?
  • Were your assumptions on target based on the results and feedback from these activities?
    • If yes, explain
    • If no, how did your team pivot? What strategies were changed and why?
  • What did you learn from this validation process?

Go to Market Strategy (10 points)

  • How will you make and/or deliver the product or service?
  • How will you promote and. market your product or service?
  • Who will be your key partners?

Management Team (10 points)

  • What are the backgrounds and qualifications of key teams members, and how do their experiences align with the business's needs?
  • How is responsibility divided among team members, and what is the structure of your leadership team?
  • Are there any gaps in your management team's expertise or capacity, and how do you plan to fill these gaps?

Critical Risks (10 points)

  • What are the most significant risks that could impact your business, and what measures have you taken to mitigate them?

Summary Financial Information (10 points)

  • What are your revenue projections for the next 3-5 years, and what assumptions have you used to calculate these figures?
  • Can you outline your anticipated expenses, including operating costs, marketing expenditures, and capital investments?
  • What is your funding strategy?

Exit Strategy: High Growth Division Only (10 points)

  • Amount of investment you are seeking and the proposed deal structure. 
  • Explain potential return on investment.