RMIT SEEDS Fellowship Applications

Investment Fund 2012

Do you have a project that could change the world?Is this project pitch ready?

Investment Fund

RMIT SEEDS is looking for projects that are at a pitch ready stage, looking for investment and can bring about positive social, economic or environmental change and positive impact on communities at home or abroad.

TheRMIT SEEDS Social Enterprise Fund is forstudents who have developed exceptional ideas for social enterprises and havethe nous and determination required to bring their projects to fruition. Each funding roundchooses up to 6 projectsfor fundingwith seed capital as well support from a network of social entrepreneurs throughout the following year.

Who is eligible?

Anycurrently enrolled RMIT students(individual or team) from (TAFE/Undergrad/Postgraduate/PhD) can apply.Team applications must include at least one enrolled RMIT student as team leader. However all team members will be considered part of the program and are encouraged to attend any development sessions and workshops with theirRMIT student team leader.

How do I apply?

We encourage you to be creative in your application, as long as you address the key criteria below. Your application must be a written documentno longer than six pages in length (excluding the cover sheet).

We are not looking for a detailed business plan at this stage, but we do want to see that you have thought in depth about your project and how it could be realised, taking into consideration all of the criteria below.

All applications must include a RMIT SEEDS Investment Fund 2012Application Cover Sheetattached below. Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 1st August 2012

Applications can be made by email to:

What happens after you apply?

Applicants/projects will be short listed by an internal panel of judges. The shortlisted applications will be sent to a selection of professionals from within the social enterprise sector, who will then select the successful applicants who will progress to the pitch round. These applicants will be invited to attend a ‘pitch and action learning set’ workshop before pitching their idea to a panel of sector professionals.

• 6th June Applications open
• 1st August Applications close
• 5th September Internal & External Panel Shortlisting
• 19th September Pitch workshop (shortlisted applicants)
• 2nd3rd October Pitch days & Recipient Selection(shortlisted applicants)

What are we looking for?

RMIT SEEDS is looking for ideas that are investment ready and can be implemented or expanded.

Please address the following key criteria in your application:

The Idea

• In less than 300 words please describe the idea and why is it needed?
• What issue is it addressing?
• Who will benefit and what is known about them?

The Impact

• How will your product/service affect, change and solve the problem

• How will the benefits be measured? i.e. How will you know if you are succeeding or not?

The Model

• Describe the business model, organisational structure, governance and strategies of the enterprise.
• How does your model operate? Describe your business process.

The Team

• Describe the key people involved (ownership/employees/investors/key suppliers)

The Market

• What market are you in?
• Who are the people you are selling to? Describe your customers.
• What is your competitive advantage?

The Numbers

• How much has been invested so far?
• Any available actuals: Budget (next 12 months) and Projection (first 2 years)
• Include any assumptions you make

*N.B. If you have any questions about the terminology please contact us.

What is expected of successful recipients?

Successful recipients will meet with the SEEDS team to organise a Memorandum of Understanding that will contain the allocation of funding and key milestones that will need to be addressed in the delivery of the project.

Contact us

Ian Jones

RMIT SEEDS

Ph: 9925 0157

E:

Empowering students to make the world a better place

Investment Fund 2012 Application Cover Sheet

Team leaders to complete this cover sheet and submit it with your entry. Applications will only be accepted with a cover sheet. Please note Team leaders must be currently enrolled RMIT students

pROJECT WORKING TITLE:

TEAM LEADERS PREFERRED NAME:

NAMES OF TEAM MEMBERS IN GROUP:

team leader contact details

FIRST NAME:
LAST NAME:

CONTACT PHONE:
PREFERRED EMAIL:

STUDENT NUMBER:

PROGRAM/COURSE:

FULL TIME/ PART TIME:

Applications can be submitted by email to

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 1st AUGUST 2012

EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE