Your company’s acceptance into CEI's program depends on the completeness of the information you submit. We adhere to a strict policy of confidentiality throughout the process. We strive to match our goals and objectives with emerging technology-based businesses throughout the region. Those who successfully complete the application process enter our program with a series of meetings. The purpose of these meetings is to outline goals and objectives and to establish deliverables.
First, we work together to evaluate what your needs are, versus our capabilities and capacities, and ensure a match. Using your business plan as an initial discussion template, we'll work together to refine and prepare your plan. This is usually a series of meetings, with objectives and follow-on efforts agreed upon at each. Anticipate 1 month, or more, during this step.
The next step is to take the finished and final business plan and "score" it using a Venture Capital scoring model. We do a risk assessment and look for a 60% competency standard in five key business areas. They are:
- Business Model
- Technology
- Execution
- Financial/Financing
- Market
You are then asked to make a presentation to our Advisory Board. The Advisory Board are key business leaders in the disciplines of; Legal, Finance, HR, IP/Tech Transfer, Manufacturing/Import-Export, General Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Bio/Life Sciences. The board meets once a month for the purposes of evaluating new client applications. Your 10-minute presentation, a 20–30 minute Q/A, plus your business plan and scoring are used by the board to evaluate and make a recommendation.
More information on our risk assessment guidelines and thought process is available here. Your business may not meet all of these guidelines; our decision for admission is based on your potential to grow given the resources at our disposal.
The Venture Capital scoring model we use is available here. Compare your business planing and thinking to our evaluation criteria. We find this is a helpful tool to focus and refine the thinking behind the business plan and presentation.
