Nature-Based Businesses that benefit Communities

Submit your complete business plan before December the 15th 2008.

Why?

• Receive professional coaching and improve your business plan
• Get local and international exposure to investors and finance
• Access an (inter-)national network of business partners
• Meet like-minded entrepreneurs
• Win prize money* and get (inter-)national recognition
• Win a business trip to the Netherlands in January 2009

The BiD Nature Challenge is a business plan competition and an investor marketplace open to Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) with a solid business venture or established commercial activity that generates economic benefits and employment, while supporting bio-diversity and sustainable use of natural resources. Plans can be related, but not limited, to nature conservation, eco-tourism, forestry, and aquaculture.

For inspiration and examples, see the proposals related to conservation and biodiversity.

Business plans from all countries are welcome. All plans submitted will be carefully screened; receive valuable feedback in regards to the business idea. Approved applications (summaries) will be asked to develop a complete business plan with a coach if wished. All solid business plans will be eligible for investor matchmaking.
The BiD Marketplace is a one week event in the Netherlands finding place in January 2009. Entrepreneurs with high quality plans will be invited to attend to be linked to potential investors, buyers, financial institutions, business partners and the public.

* Mozambique, Kenya and Cameroon:
Prize money as well as 6 trips (flight/accommodation/meals/attendance to events) are available for the best entrepreneurs with plans for these countries.

How to Submit your Business Plan?

1. First, check if you are eligible to participate by reading the above and the BiD Network participation criteria.
2. To participate in the BiD Nature Challenge, you need to submit an application and a complete business plan (please be aware these are two different phases in the application process!).
3. The deadline for submitting your complete business plan documents is December 15th 2008.
4. Click here for a more detailed instruction on how to present your plan and find a downloadable instruction below.
5. Around the 19th of December, the finalists will be nominated. They will get a business trip to the Netherlands.
6. Whether or not you become a finalist, all high quality business plan are can to be included for the BiD Network Investor Matchmaking Services.

In case you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact us

"Stimulate sustainable economic development through entrepreneurship!"

Success!

DOWNLOADS:

1. Step 1: Submit your plan application(summary)- click here to download the offline Plan Application Template in English. (only relevant for those that want to prepare off-line)
2. Step 2 - download the templates for the complete business plan. Both formats serve as a guideline for entrepreneurs. It's not an obligatory format, but it does give you an overview of the key ingredients for a complete and solid business plan.
   • A) Download the business plan template.
   • B) Download the Financial template.