(The actual application in GUST has a slightly different order to make it a bit easier for competitors that already maintain a GUST profile to complete the application. Concept Stage applicants are not expected or required to answer all questions.)
Company Basics
Company name, elevator pitch, and other basic information about your company.
Provide an overview of your company. You might like to include your products and/or services, structure and business model.
Management
Who are the members of your management team and how will their experience aid in your success?
What outside advisors are you using, and what is their role?
Customer Problem
What customer problem does your product and/or service solve?
Target Market
Detail the geographic, demographic and psychographic characteristics that define your target market.
Outline who your customers are and why you are targeting them.
Business Model
What strategy will you employ to build, deliver and retain company value?
Competitive Advantage
What is your company’s competitive advantage (e.g. processes, patents, first mover advantage, expertise or proprietary technology)?
Product/Services
Describe your product and/or service and detail the key customer benefits.
What traction do you have so far in the market?
Sales/Marketing Strategy
What is your customer acquisition and retention strategy? How will you promote, sell and create customer loyalty for your market offering?
Competitors
Describe the competitive landscape and your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses.
Current Funding Round
Provide the details about the round of funding you are currently raising.
Funding History
Provide information about previous funding rounds that your company has raised.
Annual Financials
Enter your financials for this year and last year, as well as projections for the following three years. Investors like to compare and evaluate financial performance over this timeframe, so do your best to complete it.
Financial Controls
Do you have a formal business plan in place and what process do you use for tracking your business performance?
Exit/Return Strategy
How will the investors get their money back?
Local Benefit
Will your business have any positive effect on Douglas County?