Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition 2020 (USA)

The Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition is considered to be the most prestigious and well-funded competition of its kind, It nurtures and celeberates meaningful innovations in education. Since 2010, it has awarded more than $1.4 million in cash prizes.

The Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition (EBPC) celebrates meaningful innovations that address persistent and emerging problems in education. The EBPC is open to applicants worldwide. Watch the following video to see their previous accomplishments:

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

The EBPC welcomes entrepreneurs with innovative ideas in education from around the world. Educational entrepreneurship ventures can address a wide range of educational issues. We encourage applications in every conceivable educational setting–from early childhood through corporate and adult training, in settings and contexts anywhere in the world. We also welcome both nonprofit and for-profit submissions. 

In addition, winners of select international business plan competitions will automatically be named as a Semifinalist in the Milken-Penn GSE EPBC. If selected as Finalists, they will earn the opportunity to compete in our Milken-Penn GSE EBPC Finals on October 6, 2020 on the campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Since 2010, the competition’s areas of focus have included:

• Connecting Research to Practice
• Urban Education
• Teaching & Learning
• Special Education & At-Risk Students
• Technology in Grades K through 12
• Open & Collaborative Solutions: The Education Ecosystem
• Global/Borderless Education Solutions
• Online & Distance Learning in Higher Education
• Workforce Learning
• Early Childhood Education

APPLICATION DETAILS:

EBPC applicants should describe an issue in education that their venture addresses, offer their venture’s solution, and discuss scaling possibilities to demonstrate the impact their proposed innovation can bring to the field of education and additional settings.

Important elements of business plan applications include (but are not limited to):

• The Product or Service: Describe the innovative product(s) or service(s) that your venture offers, including details about your organization, its mission statement, and any key partnering organizations involved in your venture.
• The People: Discuss your organization’s management team and address project leadership, backgrounds and expertise of key personnel, staff members, and overall organizational structure.
• The Market: What is your target market(s), and who are your target customers? Discuss the viability, readiness, and descriptions of your target market(s) and explain your marketing strategy to communicate with and successfully reach customers.
• The Competition: Explore existing competitors (with examples) that provide similar product(s) or services(s) to what you offer. Discuss your competitive advantage: how will you differentiate your venture to secure your market(s) and ensure the viability of your business? Discuss barriers to entry and any liabilities your organization may face.
• The Finances: Provide financial details including all expected income and expenses (current and anticipated) for years one, two, and three of your financial plan. Consider how your organization will scale and remain financially sustainable.
• The Impact: Describe your venture’s potential Impact on teaching, learning, and/or education outcomes.
• Submissions also include a digital slide deck presentation (PowerPoint or similar format; required; 15 slides maximum) and a 60-Second Video Pitch (optional, but highly recommended).  

JUDGING PROCEDURE:

In evaluating business plan applications, our judges will consider the importance of the educational problem, the creativity and feasibility of the proposed solution, and the potential for widespread impact.

All application materials must be submitted through the online portal.
General questions or concerns about the Rules and the Competition should be sent to the Competition Director at educomp@gse.upenn.edu.