Outstanding Start-up
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Category Definition & Guidelines
To assist you with this application the judges have provided some guidelines.
When providing your answers, the “For Example”/guidelines we have suggested for each question are not intended to be exhaustive. They are designed as examples and prompts to help you understand the judges’ requirements. It is important that where you state that you have evidence in support of the specific question you are answering, you need to provide that evidence – usually, a generic brochure or company overview is not sufficient.
HMA is interested in seeing initiatives that have been identified, driven, and resolved within our region.
Download a category information guide here.
Additional Information
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Focus of the category
The HMA Outstanding Start-Up Award category recognises a successful new start-up in the manufacturing sector. This business is established and producing and selling its initial product/s to its target market/s.
This is a standalone business, not a subsidiary of a larger enterprise.
Additional Information
This category is not for businesses that are still in the development phase, without ongoing production and sales established, but have been trading for less than two years.
Each of the listed criteria must be addressed, where relevant, and evidence should be provided in support of information presented.
Photographs, drawings, presentations (in any technological form) etc., may be included as an attachment to the online application form—please label them clearly, including a reference to the particular category that the file supports.
Please address the following criteria and restrict the content of each response to 300 words or less.
Note - Applicants may find that their application into this category may also be a 'fit' for another category, such as Manufacturer of the Year, etc.
By adapting the information to fit the criteria of other categories you give yourself the opportunity for your product, process, etc. to be profiled in more than one section.
Judging criteria & Values
Question 1:
Business Overview & Your Solution
Judging Criteria
- Describe your new business and what product(s) you manufacture.
- What problem does your product solve and why is the problem worth solving?
- What is the customer value proposition and how does your business differentiate itself from competitors?
Value:
25/100
Question 2:
The Creation Story
Judging Criteria
- How did you come up with the product?
- Describe your passion for solving the problem and your team’s commitment to the company / problem.
Value:
15/100
Question 3:
Business Model
Judging Criteria
- What is your business model?
- How do you charge for your product?
- For your customers, how do you create and capture value?
Value:
15/100
Question 4:
Growth & Scalability
Judging Criteria
- How has your start-up grown since it’s inception in terms of revenue, clients or market presence.
- What plans or strategies does your start-up have for scaling operations in the future?
- What other traction has your product or business achieved?
- Examples could include Grants, Investment Received, Distribution/Reseller agreements/licensing.
25/100
Value:
Question 5:
Business Culture
Judging Criteria
- Describe your business culture.
- How have you gone about ensuring that each person who joins your business will be a good fit and make a strong contribution to your growth?
- What is your approach to recognising the work of your employees and rewarding them?
- What strategies do you have in place to retain your best people?
Value:
20/100
Application Guide & tips
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