Venture Out Digital entry form
The deadline for all entries is 12noon on Wednesday 4 November 2015. You can enter as an individual or as
a team of up to six members.
Team member details
Name
Student no.
Faculty/School
University email address
1
2
3
4
5
6
How did you hear about Venture Out? _______________________________________________________________
Your idea
In this category we are specifically looking for ideas that apply digital technologies to generate new experiences and
innovative market opportunities. Your entry should be clear, concise and persuasive in the case it makes.
Using the table below please explain your idea in no more than 500 words in total. Use the three headings below to
ensure that you address these key points.
Enter your competition entry into the box below.
1. The Problem
What is the problem or unmet need? Why does it exist / what is causing it? Who is affected / principle stakeholders?
How do you know that the problem exists / how have you been able to validate it? How long will this exist and what is
the scale of the problem/unmet need?
2. The Solution
How is this problem / unmet need currently being addressed? What is your digital technology, what makes it
innovative and superior to existing options, and how is it being used to both meet the user’s needs and to enhance
the user experience? What unique properties of the digital technology enable your solution to function in a superior
way to existing solutions? How can you protect this digital technology * (e.g. trademark, design rights, copyright or
patent)? Why can’t others do the same as you / haven’t been able to the same as you?
* If you are worried about keeping your idea confidential then please place more detailed and sensitive information in
box 4 below. Only talk in general terms in this box.
3. The Benefits
How will your product/service change the existing situation and how will it provide benefits? Which stakeholders will
benefit most? How big will the impact be in terms of numbers affected, money saved/generated? Who is likely to be
the main adopter of your solution and who will pay?
Keeping your idea confidential
As we are looking for ideas that involve the novel application of digital technology and/or novel research outputs to a
market opportunity that has real commercial potential, it is likely that there are aspects of your idea that you do not wish
to share with the general public. If this applies to your idea, use the box below to provide additional information to the
judges that will help to convince them that your idea will be a success without commercially compromising your business
idea. For example, making it clear as to precisely which unique capabilities of your digital technology provide the essential
component of your solution.
This section should be limited to 200 words but can include diagrams if you feel that they will help the judges to
understand your entry. The information in this box will only be seen by the judging panel and Manchester Enterprise
Centre administrative staff who are all subject to University of Manchester confidentiality agreements. This material
will not enter the public domain.
4. Enter any additional confidential information into the box below.
By submitting this application form you automatically agree to comply with all rules and regulations of the Venture Out
competition as detailed in the Venture Out 2015 Terms and Conditions document.