Workshop 2:
Identifying Resources
Prof. Tello
Agenda
•Schedule Update
•Check-in with Teams
 How are you progressing?
 Pressing Questions?
•Discussion of Resource Needs
• Prepare for Rocket Pitch Practice
Schedule Update
• April 4 – Rocket Pitch Practice
Expected of all teams competing in Event
Sign-up online – details TBA
Teams must confirm intent to Pitch!
•April 8 – Idea Plan, Rocket Pitch deadline.
•April 12 – Preliminary Pitch-Off, 3:00-6:30 PM
Saab ETIC Center
•April 17 – Final Event, 6:00-9:00 PM
Saab ETIC Center
Event Details
• April 12 – Preliminary Pitch-Off
Anticipate 30-35 Teams
3 min. pitch, 5 min. Q&A
Select 9 teams for Final Event
•April 17 – Final Event
3 min. pitch, 5-10 min. Q&A
Posters from all Teams
Award Ceremony, Reception
Event Categories for $25K IdeaChallenge
• UMass Lowell Campus-wide DifferenceMaker
• Most Likely Product to Market
• Significant Social Impact
• Innovative Technology
• Sustainable Environment
• All teams will receive token of recognition
Tell Us About Your Progress
•Have you clearly identified a problem and
those affected by the problem?
•Can you clearly express the opportunity in
terms of people, impact and value?
•How is the description of your solution
progressing?
• Challenges? Concerns?
Problem/Solution Model
Problem
Tonight
Opportunity
Tonight/
March 1st
Solution
Solution
March 1st
Feasibility &
Resources
Feasibility &
Resources
March 20th
Clearly state the problem addressed by the team’s solution.
• How significant is the problem?
• Who is affected by the problem?
• Why is it important to solve this problem?
Demonstrate your knowledge regarding the opportunity associated with
addressing this problem.
• How many people are affected by this problem? Who are they?
• How is this problem currently addressed? By who?
• Why is your team uniquely qualified to address this problem?
Describe your proposed solution.
• Clearly explain your solution to the problem
• Why did the team choose this solution?
• What differentiates your solution from other solutions?
• How will you sustain your solution?
• What are the costs and benefits associated with your solution?
Identify the resources (physical, knowledge, human, financial) and budget required
to develop and implement your solution.
• How will these resources be acquired and used?
• Present the road map for implementing your solution including key milestone,
risks and risk mitigation techniques.
Resource Needs
• What are resources?
• Why do you need them?
• How do you ask for them?
What are Resources? Why do you need them?
• People – talented people with different skills
• Technology – to get the job done
• Materials – depends on the project
 Paper, tape, posters, flyers, food for events
• Knowledge – learn from others
 Attend related events, travel, database access, market reports
• Awareness/Publicity
 Website, marketing, advertisement, outreach
• What else?
How do you ask for resources?
• Help funder to understand the need
• Present reasonable estimates
• Break out a proposed one year budget
• Explain what this budget will accomplish
Sample Budget
What’s Next?
•Prepare your Rocket Pitch
•Practice event, April 4th, Southwick 240
•Sign up for time slot
•Access our faculty mentors!
Upcoming Events
Contact Us
•differencemaker@uml.edu
•www.uml.edu/differencemaker
•@difference_uml