We look forward to your participation in Believe Begin Become, Tanzania’s National business plan competition and entrepreneurship development programme. Now in its second year, the programme, funded by Google.org and implemented by TechnoServe, University of Dar es Salaam Entrepreneurship Center (UDEC), and Business in Development Network Foundation (BiDNF), promotes and supports the growth and development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to increase employment, incomes and wealth.

The competition is designed to increase the quality and scale of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Tanzania by developing the business management skills of entrepreneurs and helping their businesses become more attractive to financiers and investors.  Entrepreneurs selected to participate in the competition will learn how to write a business plan, develop strategy, manage financials, access finance and markets.  Most of all, Believe Begin Become gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to jump-start their business expansion ambitions through seed capital and business development service awards valued at over $500,000. 

Previous Believe Begin Become finalists added to their professional experience and acumen through intensive business development training and one-on-one consulting from industry experts provided by the programme.  In addition, last year’s finalists received seed capital, ranging from $5,000-20,000, to help actualize their business plans and expand their enterprises.

Finalists from last year’s competition also received “aftercare” business development service (BDS) vouchers valued at $200,000.  The vouchers were used to help the entrepreneurs access business support services from private sector business development service providers.  Entrepreneurs used some of their vouchers to formalize their businesses; acquire auditing and financial services; obtain market and product information.

Believe Begin Become’s comprehensive approach and the quality of the programme’s partners help make it a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to help build a business environment that facilitates increased access to investment capital and an opportunity to develop their enterprises.  Beyond seed money, and key to ongoing business success, Believe Begin Become links finance-ready entrepreneurs with financiers and financial brokers to realize business expansion and growth plans.

For the 2008 Believe Begin Become business plan competition, Technoserve in partnership with UDEC, will implement a joint business plan competition that will provide internet and non-interent based application options.  The “ONLINE” internet option is powered by Business in Development Network Foundation while the “OFFLINE” option provides entrepreneurs the opportunity to submit their applications physically or through e-mail submissions.

Believe Begin Become judges utilize an extensive application and presentation process to identify entrepreneurial men and women that have a strong desire to grow high potential businesses.  The attached guide details the rules and regulations for applying and participating in the competition, and provides additional information that may be helpful as entrepreneurs prepare their applications.

Important facts

1. Application period.  The application period for the competition officially opens on September 10, 2008.  The application period closes at 5.00pm on October 17, 2008.

2. Application Fee.  All applications submitted to TechnoServe should be accompanied with an application fee payable to TechnoServe by postal order at any post office nationwide (see details below).  To encourage early submissions, applications received before October 8, 2008, will pay Tsh. 10,000 as an incentive.  Applications received after October 8, 2008, will pay Tsh. 20,000.  Applicants are required to attach the postal order to the application as proof of payment when submitting their applications.

3. Eligibility Criteria. Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria detailed in this guide can apply to the competition.  Applicants will be asked to choose one of the five broad industry categories that best describe the business: (1) Agribusiness and processing   (2) Manufacturing   (3). Services,   (4) Information, Communication and Technology (ICT)   (5) Tourism

4. A complete application must include all of the following:

·         A signed participation agreement

·         Proof of payment with a postal order from Tanzania Posts Corporation

·         A complete application form

·         A typed 3-page executive summary/business concept (concepts that are longer than three pages will not be considered)

5. All applications are treated with the highest degree of confidentiality.  All judges, consultants and organizers have signed confidentiality agreements that prevent them from using or discussing any information related to the applicants or their ideas. This confidentiality agreement will be in effect even after the competition has ended.  Read more about confidentiality within this document.

6. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED

With your participation, we look forward to building Tanzania’s next generation of high-growth businesses!