Overview

Round one: Basic Business idea

Participating teams are required to submit a very brief business idea, within 1000 words, which is innovative and commercially

viable, and which could lead to the creation of a successful business. This can be a new product or service that fulfils a market niche

or an enhancement of an existing product or service that can create value, increase sales or reduce costs. It may be an entirely new

idea or it can focus on a new way of doing things.

Business ideas that incorporate environmental and social considerations are actively encouraged. These considerations include, but

are not limited to, reduction of adverse environmental impact, commitment to sustainable growth, promotion of a social cause,

solution to a social problem and protection of finite resources.

The deadline for submissions is 10 February 2011. Proposals should be written in English and limited to 1,000 words, including a

value proposition of no more than 25 words. Submissions will be screened by HSBC, Bangladesh. A minimum of 30 teams will be

selected for the next round.

First workshop: Business plan writing

Teams with the 30 best ideas will be chosen to participate in a day-long workshop on blueprinting an enterprise and writing a formal

business plan. The workshop will be conducted by industry experts and business plan specialists.

Round two: Full business plan

After the first workshop, all 30 teams will be asked to submit a formal, detailed plan on their business idea. The plan must be written

in the prescribed format - maximum ten pages, excluding appendices such as charts, tables, diagrams and spreadsheets, before the

stipulated deadline. Each team will submit five copies of its business plan in printed hard-copy.

Second workshop: Presentation and inter-personal communication

Teams with the 7 best business plans will then be trained and groomed by communication experts. Teams at this round will attend a

half day-long workshop on making formal presentations and maximising inter-personal communication skills.

Round three: Bangladesh finale

The 7 best teams, who took part in the second workshop, will be invited to formally present their business plan in front of a panel of

judges. In this round, final assessments will be made and the Bangladesh level winners will be announced.

The Gold, Silver and Bronze winners of Bangladesh finale will receive trophies of honour and cash prizes of BDT75,000, BDT45,000

and BDT35,000 respectively.

Regional finale and entrepreneurial study tour
The 3 teams from Bangladesh chosen as Gold, Silver and Bronze winners will attend the regional grand finale in the Hong Kong

SAR and participate in a week-long entrepreneurial study tour in June 2011.

The Gold team from Bangladesh will compete against the Gold teams from other Asian countries and territories for the regional Best

of the Best, Diamond and Jade Awards. The three regional awards will consist of trophies and cash prizes.

Gold teams from each participating country and territory (Bangladesh, Brunei, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Shanghai

and Thailand) will present their business plan in English to a panel of judges.

Judging criteria

Round One: Basic idea

1. Innovation and creative thinking
• Is the business idea original?
• Does it have a creative approach?
2. Commercial viability and potential
• Does the business idea offer an attractive and realistic opportunity?
• Does it have good growth prospects?
• Is there a market demand for the products/service?

Round Two: Full business plan

1. Innovation and creative thinking

Is the business idea innovative in the sense that it offers unique consumer benefits and fulfils market demands?

2. Commercial viability and potential

• Is there a sound business strategy?
• What are the risks involved, and are they being identified and addressed?
• Are the market and financial projections realistic and reasonable?
• Can the business be easily replicated by competitors?

These criteria judge students’ understanding of how to turn a business idea into a successful venture, and whether the idea offers

attractive and realistic business opportunities.

3. Communication skills
• Is the business plan clear, concise and well written?
• Is the business plan based on sound justification and good research?

The emphasis is on the students’ ability to clearly explain the business model.

Bangladesh Finale
The same criteria as in Round Three will apply.

Regional Final
The same criteria as in the Bangladesh Final will apply.

FAQS

1. Why should I participate in the HSBC Young Entrepreneur Awards?

This programme offers you an excellent opportunity to exercise your imagination and learn entrepreneurial skills in a fun and

exciting way. You will acquire practical knowledge through a series of training programmes hosted by practitioners from different

industries. You may also meet some of the most successful and influential people in the business world.

2. Do I need to specify which award I would like to compete for in the HSBC Young Entrepreneur
Awards?

No. It is not necessary to specify which award you want to compete for as judges will be able to select the best team for each award

based on the judging criteria specified in the competition.

3. If my business idea does not generate any social or environmental benefits, will my chance of
winning the Gold Award be compromised?

No. The Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards will be judged on three major criteria – creativity, commercial viability and communication

skills, regardless of the business plan’s social or environmental impact.

4. Are there any financial or geographical restrictions on my business proposal?

The business you propose can cost as much as you like but you must demonstrate that it is commercially feasible, i.e. it can

generate enough revenue to cover the cost. There are no geographical limits – your proposed business can take place anywhere in

the world. However, it is encouraged that the proposed business takes place in Bangladesh.

5. What is a value proposition?

A value proposition is a statement depicting the essence and unique feature of the whole business idea. It could explain how a

product or service makes a difference to the current way of doing business or describe the quantifiable benefits a product or service

brings about.

6. Is there any cost to enter the competition?

There is no cost to enter. However, all participants will have to bear their own out-of-pocket expenses in preparing for the

competition.
7. Is it necessary to be nominated by my university/college before submitting my entry?

There is no need for a nomination.

8. Apart from undergraduates attending full-time degree courses, can students attending associate
degree/diploma/certificate courses enter the competition?

Yes. All full-time undergraduate or full-time postgraduate students (aged 25 or below as of 30 June 2011) from local universities,

colleges or institutes of vocational education etc. are eligible to enter the competition. However, they must compete in teams of two

or three members either from the same school or from different schools.

9. Is it necessary for my team and I to give our student numbers and university particulars?

Yes, this competition is open to full-time undergraduate students only. Hence, you must provide proof that you are indeed a full-time

undergraduate student in either a public or private university/college or higher learning institution based in Bangladesh.

10. I have participated in the HSBC Young Entrepreneur Awards in the past; am I eligible to participate
again this year?

Yes, as long as you still fulfil the participation criteria and did not win any award(s) in the previous participation with the same team.

11. Can I submit my entry via fax or mail?

'No. Teams need to send five hard copies of their business plan.

12. Can I submit my business idea as an attachment to my completed online application form?

No. Your business idea must be typed in the space provided within the online registration form.

13. Can I attach any charts or diagrams on the online application form?

An image file no larger than 500KB containing materials related to your team’s business idea will be accepted.

14. How do I know you have accepted my submission?

After you have submitted your entry online at the official website, you will immediately receive via email an acknowledgment of

receipt with your team name, project title and a registration number listed.

15. Can I change team members or the contents of my business plan after submission?

No. Once you have submitted your idea, no changes to its contents or to the team composition will be accepted. You are therefore

advised to preview your online submission carefully to make sure that you have completed the registration form correctly.

16. If a team member withdraws during the competition, will the team be allowed to continue with the
competition?
Yes. As long as the team still consists of more than one member, the team is eligible to compete. If the team wishes to replace the

team member with another student, a written request with sound reasons and justifications must be submitted to the Organising

Committee of the Awards. Replacement of a team member will require the Organising Committee's approval and written consent.

17. Can I submit more than one business idea, or participate in more than one team?

No. A participant cannot be a member of more than one team. Each team is allowed to submit one proposal only.

18. Is it mandatory to attend the training workshops arranged by the organiser? Will I be disqualified if
I cannot attend all or any of them?

No, it is not compulsory for you to attend the training workshops, and you will not be disqualified for not attending. However, you

might miss a lot of useful information such as business plan formats, judging criteria and presentation techniques. So it is

recommended that at least one team member be present.

19. The rules specify that HSBC shall own the copyrights of all entries submitted. Can I make use of
my own business ideas after the competition?

HSBC, as the organiser, needs to have the copyright of your entry for publicity purposes. You are free to make use of your own

business ideas in whatever way you like.

20. What should I do if I or my team members cannot attend the Bangladesh Finale or Regional Finale
due to unforeseen reasons such as illness?

Unless the whole team withdraws, other team members are allowed to continue with the competition. If the team wishes to replace a

team member with another student, a written request with sound reasons and justifications must be submitted to the Organising

Committee. Replacing a team member will require written consent from the Organising Committee.

21. What should I do if my team cannot represent my own country or territory to compete at the
Regional Competition?

In the event that the Gold Award winning team cannot attend the Regional Competition, the Silver Award winners (first runner-up)

will be eligible to compete. If the Silver team fails to compete at the Regional Competition, the Bronze Award winners (second

runner-up) will be eligible to compete

Local Competition Winners (2009-10)

Award Project Title Team Members

 ISLAM, SABABA
PRODUCTION AND USE (Dhaka University)
 RAHMAN, SAZZADUR
OF BIOCHAR TO (Dhaka University)
Gold
PREVENT LEACHING AND
 SARWAR, SIFFAT
SOIL DEGRADATION. (Dhaka University)

 BARI, FARHANA
(Dhaka University)
 ABDULLAH, UMAR
"GREEN ELECTRICITY FROM (Dhaka University)
Silver
BRYOPHYLLUM PLANTS"
 HOSSAIN, MD SAJJAD
(Dhaka University)

 ZUBAYER, MD WALID AL
(Dhaka University)
A POWERFUL SOLUTION  MAZUMDER, BADHAN
(Dhaka University)
Bronze FROM NEEM TO

ERADICATE MOSQUITOES  HOSSAIN, SAIMUM

(Dhaka University)

Regional Competition Winners (2009-10)

Award Country Project Title Team Members

 PARWANI, KUNAL
(City University of Hong Kong)
 CHEN, ZIXIANG
Best of the (City University of Hong Kong)
Hong Kong THE FISH
Best
 YANG, ZHOU
(City University of Hong Kong)

 ISLAM, SABABA
PRODUCTION AND USE OF (Dhaka University)
 RAHMAN, SAZZADUR
BIOCHAR TO PREVENT (Dhaka University)
Diamond Bangladesh
LEACHING AND SOIL
 SARWAR, SIFFAT
DEGRADATION (Dhaka University)

 LACSAMANA, MA ISOBEL
(Ateneo De Manila University)

Jade Philippines PLASTICONCRETE

 DATU, WYLIE EMILLE
(Ateneo De Manila University)
Local Competition Winners (2008-09)

Award Project Title Team Members

 SHAHRIAR, KHANDKER AUMIO

(Dhaka University)
 HYE, ABDULLAH MOHAMMED NAHEYAN
WATERWISE (Dhaka University)
Gold
SYMPHONY
 KARIM, RIDWAN MOHAMMAD
(Dhaka University)

PRODUCTION AND MARKETING

 TARIQUE, RASHED AL AHMAD
OF ALTERNATIVE ORAL (Others)

Silver REHYDRATION SALINE AND

 HAIDER DEWAN, HISHAM
FOOD PRODUCTS USING (Others)

CASSAVA

 RANA, SHOHEL RANA

(Dhaka University)
 AVIJITH, AVIJITH BARUA
(Dhaka University)
Bronze WASTE CONVERTER

 TANVIR, TANVIR HOSSAIN

(Dhaka University)

Regional Competition Winners (2008-09)

Award Country Project Title Team Members

 SAMSON, KIM
(Ateneo De Manila University)
 SATINITIGAN, KARL
Best of the AREKA! (Ateneo De Manila University)
Philippines
Best LEAF TABLEWARE
 HUELVA, TIM
(Ateneo De Manila University)

 TAM, KING PUI JULIANA

(Chinese University of Hong Kong)
 SIN, CHUN HONG
(Chinese University of Hong Kong)
Diamond Hong Kong ALGINATE BURGERS

 HUI, CHUN KIT

(Chinese University of Hong Kong)

 SHAHRIAR, KHANDKER AUMIO

(Dhaka University)
 HYE, ABDULLAH MOHAMMED NAHEYAN
WATERWISE (Dhaka University)
Jade Bangladesh
SYMPHONY
 KARIM, RIDWAN MOHAMMAD
(Dhaka University)
Local Competition Winners (2007-08)

Award Project Title Team Members

 FARUQ, RIFAT
(Dhaka University)
 HAQUE, NUSRAT
ORGANIC FERTILIZER FROM (Dhaka University)
Gold
WATER HYACINTH
 HUSSAIN, NAFIA
(Dhaka University)

 SAJIB, SHARIF-UL-HASAN
(North South University)
 RABIN, MIZBA-UL ISLAM
(Dhaka University)
Silver COMMERCIAL CRAB PRODUCTION

 RASHED , RASHEDUR RAHMAN

(Dhaka University)

 CHOTON, MUHAMMAD IMAM HUSSAIN

(Dhaka University)
CASHEW: A GREEN
Bronze
ECONOMIC SOLUTION  SUJON, S M FAJLAY RABBI
(Dhaka University)

Regional Competition Winners (2007-08)

Award Country Team Members

 LEEDHIRAKUL, SUPATSINEE
(Thammasat University)
 LIAMSOMBOON, THIDARAT
(Thammasat University)
Best of the Best Thailand

 KITTANAMONGKOLCHAI, WONLAPA
(Thammasat University)

 LEEDHIRAKUL, SUPATSINEE
(Thammasat University)
 LIAMSOMBOON, THIDARAT
(Thammasat University)
Best Presentation Thailand

 KITTANAMONGKOLCHAI, WONLAPA
(Thammasat University)