A business plan is the beginning and the end of the evaluation.
The Pre-Startup Package (예비창업패키지) is a government program that provides startup funds and various entrepreneurial support to those in the pre-launch stage. The program offers substantial funding, ranging from an average of 50 million won to a maximum of 100 million won, which results in high competition every year. However, many applicants overlook one crucial point: “The business plan itself is the subject of evaluation.” It’s not just about listing ideas; you need to write the business plan based on how the judges will evaluate it in order to succeed.
What Must Be Explained in a Business Plan
The most important criteria for judges are as follows:
- What problem is being solved?
- How urgent is the problem?
- How can the problem be solved?
- Is it actually feasible to implement?
Your business plan must provide clear answers to these four questions. If these are not addressed, the judges will not be convinced.
Feasibility of the Plan is Key
Another point many applicants overlook is the lack of specificity in their plans. Simply stating “We will develop an app” is not sufficient for evaluation. If the plan only mentions that an app will be developed, the judges will want to know specifics: “What features will the app have?”, “Who will develop it, when, and how?”, and “What problems will it solve in the market?”. The business plan should include the following information:
- Development status (Is it in the idea stage or a prototype?)
- Remaining tasks and solutions
- Budget usage plan and timeline
- Commercialization strategy and revenue model
Growth Strategy and Team Composition are Evaluation Points
In addition to technical feasibility, judges will assess: “How scalable is this business?” and “Who will lead the project?” Judges consider not only the short-term feasibility of the idea but also the long-term potential for business expansion. To address this, the business plan should include:
- Target market and revenue plan
- Expansion strategy after commercialization
- Team capabilities and expertise
- External collaboration opportunities (MOUs, partner companies, etc.)
Even Trendy Ideas Require Differentiation
Recently, many applications have been focused on trending topics like AI, SaaS, and education platforms. In such cases, the “preparedness of the entrepreneur” and “differentiation” will decide whether you succeed or fail. Judges often evaluate multiple submissions on the same topic at once. In these cases, the decision will be based on who presents a more specific plan and who appears more trustworthy. Therefore, even if your idea is trendy, emphasize the following:
- Technological originality
- Differentiated market approach
- The entrepreneur’s experience and execution capability
Final Tip – Review from the Judge’s Perspective
During the final review stage, ask yourself these questions: “Does this business appear feasible?”, “What questions would the judges ask after reading this?”, and “Is the core message clearly emphasized?”. Readability is also important. Minimize unnecessary decorations and make the key points stand out using tables, charts, or emphasized text.
※ Want more detailed examples and actual evaluation methods?
The full version of the business plan writing guide from the judge’s perspective, compiled by patent attorney Shin Sun, can be found on the blog.
