KENT GRADUATE SCHOOL
Bright Ideas Competition 2014-15
Application Form
Notes:
1. The Kent Graduate School invites proposals from postgraduate students for a unique
business concept. In order to participate in this competition you must complete the form
below to produce a summary business plan (2 A4 pages max) that outlines your idea. This
must be submitted to skills@kent.ac.uk by 9am on Monday 18th March 2015 at the latest. If
your application is successful you will be invited to pitch the a panel of judges.
2. Selection Criteria
Funding will only be awarded to an innovative and viable business proposal. One prize of
£1000 is available, to either a Commercial business idea or Social Enterprise.
Please ensure you complete ALL sections in the application form, including:

Team/Business name

A summary of your idea: this should be a comprehensive and detailed breakdown of
the planning and implementation of the project including a business plan. This should
also comprise a breakdown of how the funding will be spent and should cover:
o
o
o
o
o
A clear rationale for your business proposal
A background for your idea, including key references
‘Due diligence’: i.e. your proposal needs to disclose key and accurate
information. (see the patent database
http://worldwide.espacenet.com/advancedSearch?locale=en_EP) if in a
technology area
Market information: this should include who is going to buy/use the product
and how much it will cost
How much money you would need, and what you would use it to do. A
recommended format here is 3 delivery milestones over 3 years.
3. After you have submitted your application, you will receive feedback. You will also be
notified if your application has been successful. If you are successful your feedback should
be used to formulate a pitch which you will deliver to the panel of judges (date to be
confirmed).
4. The completed application form should be no more than two A4 pages in length, including
diagrams. Your proposal should be sent via email (clearly titled ‘Bright Ideas’) to
skills@kent.ac.uk
5. The completed application form must be accompanied by a brief CV (no more than one side
of A4) from the applicant(s). Please try to make this relevant to the application e.g. please
include if you have experience that underpins your idea.
6. Selection Process
The selection panel will be led by Dr Gary Robinson, Senior Commercialisation Manager.
Applications should be sent to Carla Doolan, Postgraduate Development Coordinator
(skills@kent.ac.uk) by 9am on Wednesday 18th March 2015.
7. Queries about the Bright Ideas Competition should be directed to Carla Doolan, (on
skills@kent.ac.uk).
8. Successful applicants will be interviewed about their projects for publicity for the Graduate
School.
Applicant Name(s)
School
Team Name
Preferred contact email
address
Has this idea been presented
elsewhere? (If yes please state
where/when)
Project Proposal (this should be a brief overview of the planned project which includes the following
points;
1) the rationale for your proposal, including its unique selling point and the background to your idea
2) the market for your product (who will buy it)
3) your marketing strategy (how you will market it), and
4) the ‘raise’ (how much financing you need, how you will get it and the expected return on
investment.)
Project Plan (the plan should be a comprehensive plan showing the stages of the project and the
allocation of resources including a breakdown of how the funding will be spent) Note: Applicants
may prefer to submit an Excel spreadsheet which includes this information.