Introduction

TIC Americas presents awards as an international business competition and entrepreneur accelerator for young people. TIC Americas differentiates itself from other existing business plan competitions by incorporating a prototype phase, training, investment, internships, among other opportunities at a global scale.

TIC Americas has two phases:

    1. Online Semi-Finals where competitors complete their concept paper, business plan – including a market study, a website, and promotional video. A BOOT (Business Opportunity On-line Training) makes available resources to participants in training, mentorship, and other online information.

    2. On-site Finals where young entrepreneurs make their “pitch” for a TIC Americas award in person and have the opportunity to showcase and advertise their product in an international event prior to the XL OAS General Assembly in Peru.

Focus Priority Themes

Teams comprised of young people from OAS Member States and internationally are invited to submit business plans according to the following Rules and Terms of Reference.
Innovative projects in the following priority areas are encouraged:

  • Environment: To create socially responsible entrepreneurs to strengthen conservation, sustainable development, energy, and water resource management.
  • Tourism: To promote the development of opportunities for young people in the tourism industry, including culture
  • Agribusiness: To utilize the region’s agricultural capacity to create economic growth thereby creating employment opportunities for young people
  • Technology: To realize the potential economic benefits that technology can bring to business and the community

Languages

A major goal of TIC Americas is to promote competitive business skills on an international level. In 2010 TIC Americas projects can be submitted in Spanish or English during the on-line phase.

Those teams qualifiying for the on-site, live TIC Americas Finals must present copies of their written business plan in both Spansish and English. Finalists for the TIC Americas Awards must make their live presentation in English and there will be no simultaneous translation permitted during presentations to the judges. Judges will not evaluate grammar but focus instead on the overall quality of the business plan (finance and marketing feasibility, etc.) The Finals events will be conducted in English. Lanqugage and criteria for regional, national, local, and sponsored awards will be announced separately for each award category.


Participants

  • All team members (excluding mentors) must not be more than 35 years of age prior to 11:59 pm of December 31, 2009. Proof of age will be required for Finalists.
  • Contestants must be citizens or legal residents of the country they are representing and be legally authorized to start and operate a business in that country.
  • Any entrepreneur (under the age of 36) may enter regardless of their education status or level of completion.
  • Projects receiving any award in previous TIC Americas will not be eligible to compete for any of the seven TIC Americas Awards. However, they will be eligible to compete for special awards, such as the 2010 PepsiCo Americas Water Resources Award.
  • YABT Staff, including National Chapters Officials, Board of Directors, and sponsors, as well as their immediate family members are not eligible to participate as members of a team.

Teams

  • TIC Americas Teams must include a minimum of three members with the following:
    • Chief Executive Officer.
    • Chief Financial Officer.
    • Chief Technical Officer.
  • A Team may only register ten members, not including mentors.
  • Each Team is responsible for finding its own mentor(s), who are a recommended but not required resource for participants.
  • Each team may designate up to two members to present in the TIC Americas Finals Evaluation Committee. No other members or mentors will be allowed to attend the presentation.
  • At least one member of the Team should be able to communicate adequately in English for the live presentation in the Finals.
  • Since much of the competition and communication is through the Internet, the Team should have adequate access to the Internet to enable its full participation.
  • A Team with multinational contestants will be considered to be from the country where the CEO is a citizen.

    • Judges

  • Judges from across the Americas will participate in TIC Americas Semi-Finals and Finals Judging Teams. YABT may appoint judges as required at its own discretion.
  • Judges will be experienced, bilingual professionals (English and Spanish speakers) whose skill sets make them amply qualified to carry out the judging of business plans and other materials submitted by contestants of TIC Americas.
  • Judges in both Semi-Finals and Finals phases will score business plans according to the judging criteria in these Rules and Terms of Reference.
  • Judges will provide feedback after the Semi-Finals and Finals to assist the participating teams in identifying areas for improvement.
  • Judges will each arrive at their scores independently and will not discuss their scores or opinions with other individuals or judges.
  • Judges agree to score contestants fully and impartially based on the technical quality and presentation of the business plan and the contestant’s performance during the competition and without regard to nationality, age, institution and other discriminatory factors.
  • All judges agree to terms of confidentiality prior to judging the business plans, and they agree to abide by the TIC Americas Rules and Terms of Reference established and published by YABT.
  • Mentors may not be judges. Mentors and judges may not represent the same institution or organization. If this is unavoidable, they should remove themselves from judging that Team.
  • YABT will appoint an Evaluation Committee to coordinate the work of the judges and the review process during the Semi-Finals and Finals.

    • Mentors

  • All teams have the option of working with one or more mentors and there is no restriction regarding age, experience, or education of the mentors.
  • Mentors will participate on a voluntary basis and will not be paid by the team or by YABT/TIC Americas.
  • Mentors can aid team members by answering questions, providing industry and technical experience, helping with organizational strategies, editing business plans, evaluating team presentations, and facilitating the networks necessary for long-term success of the project.
  • YABT Staff, National Chapters Officials, Board of Directors, and sponsors, as well as their immediate family members are not eligible to participate as members of a contestant team as a mentor.

    • |

    Getting to the TIC Americas Finals

  • Finalists will be selected from the qualifying teams registering and completing the process in the on-line phase to participate in the on-site Finals. YABT will determine the number of teams who qualify for the Finals, normally up to a total of thirty.
  • Qualifying Finalists Teams (representing a country from the Americas) will receive one ticket for one member to attend the Finals. Other team members and mentors who wish to travel to the Finals are responsible for finding their own sponsorship to attend.
  • Travel to be provided by YABT for the one representative of the team who will go to Peru includes one round trip economy class ticket, accommodation, lunches, and local transportation. The Team member who receives the round trip ticket to Peru must depart from the country the team represents.
  • International Teams, i.e., those registering outside the Americas who are competing for the International Alliance Award, are responsible for all of their own expenses.
  • YABT will notify the international community and media of the teams that were selected to be part of the on-site Finals through its websites: www.ticamericas.net and www.ybiz.net.
  • YABT can provide documentation for teams as Finalists to facilitate the access to potential sponsors.
  • Finalists’ teams competing for TIC Americas Awards must bring copies of their business plan in both English and Spanish. The live presentation must be in English...
  • Those persons that the Team identifies to make their “pitch” to the Finals Judges should be able to answer questions in English.

    • Activities During the TIC Americas Finals

  • International Expo
  • Final Business Plan Presentations and Judging
  • Presentations to be performed in English by 1-2 team members
  • Presentation will be followed by a round of questions and answers. Presenters should be able to respond in English.
  • A prototype must be presented in the Finals.
  • Awards Ceremony and Presentation of Finalists Certificates

    A certificate from YABT/OAS will be presented as TIC Americas Finalist for each team member that is registered.

    • TIC Americas Awards

    Spirit of Entrepreneurship

  • Presented to the team that best exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit in the creation of a business attitude, team work, initiative, persistency, resourcefulness, overcoming personal or environmental obstacles.

    Social Entrepreneurship
  • Presented to the team that best combines young entrepreneur business innovation and acumen with social actions and responsibility to create lasting change that positively impacts the community, locally, nationally, or internationally.

    New Markets
  • Presented to the team whose product or service enters previously untapped territories or creates new demand or satisfies an existent one in a different way.

    Tradition and Culture
  • Presented to the team that builds on or integrates traditional knowledge or technologies into today’s processes, products or services.

    Creative Design
  • Presented to the team whose business process, promotion, website, or other aspect of design features characteristics that are unique and graphically new or interesting.

    E-Business
  • The team whose website presents the better system to carry on electronic operations, such as: selling of products/services, customers support, information delivery, etc.

    International Alliance Award
  • International teams from outside the Americas may enter to be considered for one award based on similar criteria to those mentioned above.

    People’s Choice
  • The team that gathers the most amount of votes from visitors to the international expo at the finals event will be recognized as the winner of the People’s Choice Awardee. There is no financial prize for the People’s Choice Award.

    Each Award Consists of
  • A Cash prize of $3000 – Excluding the People’s Choice Award
  • One trophy for the Team as winner of their TIC Americas Award
  • A Certificate for each registered Team member as TIC Americas Winning Team
  • Participation in the YABT / TIC Americas Alumni Network
  • Other Opportunities such as
    • Networking: showcase of the business in international events
    • Mentoring.
    • Training.
    • Promotion.
    TIC Americas Awardees will be given the opportunity to attend the 2010 GlobalTiC Award and Forum YABT will assist with visa process and additional institutional support; however, Teams should look for their own resources to cover the costs involved.

    Regional, National, Local and Sponsor Awards
    YABT and its sponsors may present other Special Awards according to their specific priorities. TIC Americas Rules, Terms and Conditions will apply; although Special Awards may have different judging criteria that will be announced separately.

    • Deliverables / Activities by the Contestant Teams

    All required documents, videos, links, and images must be uploaded to the team space on the TICAmericas.net. No documents will be accepted via email or in any other form, format, or location after the deadline.

    a. Registration

  • All Teams must register online at the TIC Americas Webpage: www.ticamericas.net
  • Registration has no cost.
  • The participating Team list and the Concept Paper must be submitted by 6 pm Washington DC time on March 1st, 2010. Those registered Teams then have until 6 pm Washington DC time on April 1, 2010 to submit the remaining required documents and deliverables.
  • Teams must include three (3) Officers (CEO, CTO, and CFO).
  • Teams have no limitation in the number of members and mentors, but only 10 can be registered as contestants. Only 2 can make the presentation to the Judges in the TIC Americas Finals Competition.
  • All information during the Competition will be sent to the email address provided in the registration. Contestants are responsible for ensuring that the email is functional and the contents read on a regular basis.

    b. Concept Paper

  • Contestants must present a Project Concept description of their business idea.
  • It is necessary to complete and submit the Concept Paper prior to advancing to the next stage of the competition.
  • The Concept Paper can be in English or Spanish and should respond to the following questions as shown in the form available at the www.ticamericas.net website:
  • What is your product or service idea?
  • What is the talent and innovation in your project?
  • What is the profile of your customers?
  • What are your team qualifications?
  • What is the stage of your business?

    c. Business Opportunity Online Training (BOOT) Camp
    The objective of the BOOT Camp is to provide contestants with tools that will aide them in developing their:
    • Business Plan, including the market study
    • Promotional Video
    • Website
  • All registered participants will have the opportunity to access the BOOT Camp, which consists of a Resource Center and online courses through the TIC Americas website: www.ticamericas.net.
  • The Team can also obtain on site training through local supporter organizations, e.g., universities, NGOs, incubators, research centers or private sector institutions.

    d. Business Plan
    Please refer to section XIII for the suggested outline of the Business Plan.

  • The business plan submission must follow the template provided by YABT.
  • On-line phase: Business Plans can be submitted in Spanish or English
  • Business Plans for the on-line phase can not be submitted or modified after 6 PM Washington DC time on April 1, 2010.
  • TIC Americas Finals: Those teams qualifying for the on-site, live Finals must present copies of their Business Plan in both Spanish and English.

    Market Study (required)
    This stage will be useful to develop the first draft of the business plan.

  • Prototype: Teams should include a prototype and take it to the market to validate the business idea they want to develop.
  • Customer Survey: After the market test, teams must present evidence, through videos, pictures and interviews:
    • Interview at least five potential clients.
    • Present Record of the meetings. (Transcripts of Questions and Answers)
    • Contact Information and reason why that potential customer was chosen.
    • Pictures of the team interviewing each potential customer. (if available)
    • Feedback and suggestions from the potential customers interviewed.


    e. Website:

  • Contestants must develop their own webpage.
  • The website should include an online catalogue to showcase their product or service.
  • Contestants may build their website using free software (DIY, Blogs, etc) available online.
  • YABT BOOT Camp provides information about free tools for website development.
  • It is not mandatory to buy a domain.

    f. Promotional Video

  • Contestants will develop a promotional video of their product or service.
  • The promotional video should not exceed 3 minutes.
  • The video may be in English or Spanish.
  • Contestants participating in the finals in Lima, Peru, should present the video in English.
  • Contestants are allowed to use subtitles for the Finals event.

    • 2010 Timetable

    Item Starts Deadlines
    Registration: Online through www.ticamericas.net October 1, 2009 March 1, 2010
    Concept Paper: submit your concept idea when registering October 1, 2009 March 1, 2010
    Draft Business Plan Revision: teams are encouraged to start their business plans from the moment they register. Teams who submit a draft business plan by March 1 will receive feedback. After submitting the Concept Paper March 1, 2010
    BOOT Camp: access online resources and courses At registration Ongoing – Open to all teams
    Market Study: develop a prototype, interview 5 customers, and elaborate a report that will be included in your business plan At registration April 1, 2010
    Business Plan: includes executive summary, market and financial feasibility, innovation, organizational structure, etc. At registration April 1, 2010
    Website: develop your company website At registration April 1, 2010
    Promotional Video: develop an advertisement video of up to 3 minutes to promote your business idea. At registration April 1, 2010
    Evaluation: international judges identified by YABT will evaluate all registered teams that completed the TIC Americas process. All teams will receive feedback. April 5, 2010 April 23, 2010
    Announcement of Finalists: contestants advancing to the finals will be notified by e-mail. The list of finalists will be published on www.ticamericas.net   May 1, 2010
    TIC Americas Finals 2010: International Expo, Workshops, Networking Opportunities, Finals Evaluations, Awards Ceremony.   June 3-4, 2010

    Outline of Business Plan Template

    Contestants should also review the scoring criteria in the section XV on how the Business Plans will be scored to ensure that all relevant points are covered in their presentations. Those Business Plans that most closely address these points will be at a competitive advantage. The following format is suggested to organize the plan.

    A. Executive Summary - No more than 500 words (one page, concrete and concise), including:

    • Summary of Business Plan Processes
    • Description of success elements
    • Goals of the Project
    • Conclusion
    B. Innovation
    • The product/service demonstrates improvement satisfying a customer need.
    • The business plan demonstrates improvement in the business process.
    • And / or improvements by introducing something new / different from existing knowledge and technologies.
    C. Market Feasibility
    • Product / Service
    • Marketing Research
    • Design of Logo, Label, Package
    • Product’s Life Cycle
    • Target market and market niche
    • Competitive Advantage
    • Promotion and Advertising Campaign
    • Distribution Channels
    • Price and Competitors’ Analysis
    • Sales Forecast
    • Short, Medium and Long term objectives
    • Prototype Technical Specifications
    • Components and elements of technology plan
    • Product design and Process Flow Chart
    • Production Strategy, Machinery and Equipment
    • Quality control procedures, Supply and production chain
    D. Management and Organizational Structure
    • Organizational Chart: Logical and structured, well-defined roles
    • Mission, Vision and Objectives
    • Human Resources Recruitment and Selection Process
    • Training, number of employees Job Descriptions and Remuneration
    • Internal Communication
    • Legal Constitution of the Business
    • Intellectual Properties and Patents, if necessary
    E. Financial Feasibility
    • Short, Medium and Long Term Objectives
    • Cost Analysis
    • Initial Investment and Return on Investment
    • Cash Flow and Financial Forecasting: Scenarios
    • Financial Statement and Balance Sheet

    Terms and Conditions

    1. Principle of Confidentiality

    The organizer, the Young Americas Business Trust (YABT), sponsors, judges, and any other person involved in TIC Americas, hereafter referred to as the ”Competition” will maintain faithful enforcement of the Principle of Confidentiality of the projects presented by the participants, but only when the participants identify with clarity and before commencement of competition, which information should be considered confidential for the purposes of the Competition. Generally it is the participant’s responsibility to decide which and how much particular information should be divulged.

    The organizer is not responsible for any type of complaints or demands from a third party whom alleges work as their own regarding projects submitted and presented to the Competition.

    2. Usage of the Personal Information and Pictures of the Participants

    The participant knows, and is aware, that all information submitted during his participation in all phases of the Competition will be collected and saved in the database of the organizer of the Competition, thereby authorizing the free use, reproduction and dissemination of the information that the organizer of the competition needs for the promotion and/or publication of the information with the objective to inform the purposes and information of the competition.

    It is understood that the organizers of this Competition, as well as the participants or any person involved, cannot use or publish articles, propaganda or publicity or any matter in relation with this Competition without the previous authorization of the ones involved.

    This condition of use of the personal information and pictures of the participants does not violate the Principle of Confidentiality described in the previous clause nor does it generate obligation of payment or a lucrative activity in favor of the participant for such usage.

    3. Selection of the Judges

    The Young Americas Business Trust will appoint judges for the on-line and Finals phases of the Competition. The judges will be professionals from the academic and business world and able to analyze different areas of the business plan such as innovation, marketing, technology, human resources, and finance.

    4. Decisions of the Evaluation Committee

    The decisions of the Evaluation Committee will be final and not subject to appeal. The Evaluation Committee reserves the right to resolve any point not mentioned in the terms and conditions of the competition.

    Particular awards will not be considered or made if the projects presented do not reach an adequate level of quality.

    5. Announcement of the Finalists

    Those participants who qualify for the Finals phase of the Competition will be notified at the e-mail address used for the team at the time of registration. The list of qualifying Finalists will be published on the TIC Americas website, www.ticamericas.net.

    6. Tax and Legal Considerations

    The cash prize in the Awards may have legal implications for participant’s domestic tax status and this will be entirely the responsibility of the winning participant(s). YABT holds no responsibility with these or any related tax or related legal obligations of the participants.

    7. Author’s Rights

    The Author’s Rights of the business plans presented during the Competition are considered those of the participants who submitted them.

    8. Acceptation of the Terms of the Competition

    Registration for the Competition constitutes the acceptance, on behalf of the persons registering, of all the Terms and Conditions included in this document. Modifications will be posted on the www.ticamericas.net website. Participants of the Competition should keep themselves up to date with the recent publications and notices during the on-line and Finals phases.

    9. Modifications of the Terms and Conditions of the Competition

    YABT can modify the Terms and Conditions of the Competition and Awards, including increasing or decreasing prizes according to the contributions of sponsors. YABT may also modify the dates of the Competition or suspend temporarily or definitively the execution of the Competition as considered appropriate. All the modifications to the actual Terms and Conditions will be published on the Website www.ticamericas.net with a prior notification to the participants. The current version posted on the www.ticamericas.net website is considered the applicable and final version.


    Judging Criteria and Scoring

    On-line Semi-Finals Competition
    Element Objective Scoring Weight
    A. Business Plan Technical Review   65%
    1 Innovation Creativity and Originality 15%
    2. Market Feasibility Response to Clear Market Needs 15%
    3. Management Feasibility Human and Technical Resources 15%
    4. Financial Feasibility Start up and Sustainability 15%
    5. Overall Business Plan Presentation Technical / Presentation Professionalism 5%
         
    B. Consistency with Award Priorities   35%
    Total Percent   100%


    Evaluation Scale: 1-5
    Business Plans will be evaluated on the following criteria with points assigned on this rating scale:
    0 = Does not meet the criteria at all or attempt to – Unacceptable.
    1 = Meets some criteria but unacceptable - Very poor.
    2 = Meets the criteria minimally – Poor.
    3 = Meets the criteria but does not exceed it – Adequate.
    4 = Meets criteria and substantially exceeds it – Good.
    5 = Meets criteria and demonstrates highest excellence and superiority – Excellent.


    A. Business Plan Technical Review
      Maximum 65 points – Maximum 5 points each section
      Points.
    1. Innovation  
  • The product/service demonstrates improvement satisfying a customer need
    		•   
  • Demonstrates improvement in the Business process
    		•   
  • The business idea demonstrates improvements by introducing something new/different from existing ones
    		•   
    Subtotal Innovation – Maximum points = 15
       
    2. Market Feasibility  
  • Demonstrates the market for the company’s product/service
    		•   
  • Understands the market and identify the customers
    		•   
  • States that it product/service will be competitive to achieve a leadership position in its market
    		•   
    Subtotal Market Feasibility – Maximum points = 15
       
    3. Management Feasibility  
  • Integrates the resources with its development strategies
    		•   
  • Clearly defines the organizational structure
    		•   
  • Combines technology with the production process
    		•   
    Subtotal Management Feasibility – Maximum points = 15
       
    4. Financial Feasibility  
  • States its funding strategy
    		•   
  • Justifies the return of investment
    		•   
  • Analyzes its financial forecast
    		•  
    Subtotal Financial Feasibility – Maximum points = 15


    B. Awards and Priority Themes
    Maximum 35 points Total
    1. Spirit of Entrepreneurship:
    Demonstrates teamwork in overcoming personal obstacles     		 
    2. Social Entrepreneurship:
    Demonstrates business social responsibility and positive community impact     		 
    3. New Markets:
    Satisfies a new or an unmet market need     		 
    4. Tradition and Culture:
    Integrates traditional knowledge or culture in a new business or process     		 
    5. Creative Design:
    Demonstrates the unique/competitive features/characteristics of the product/service     		 
    6. eBusiness:
    Uses internet to facilitate selling strategy and operations     		 
    7. International Alliance:
    Teams with members from outside of the Americas demonstrating similar criteria as above     		 
    Subtotal – Maximum points Priority Themes = 35 ________
       
    Total Points Awarded Maximum = 100 ________

    Comment:

    Judges will also include a brief statement of their observations and analysis

    One additional Bonus Point will be added to the final score of each Business Plan that is submitted in one or more of the following sectors:
  • Tourism
  • Agribusiness
  • Technology
  • Environment
    • On-Site Finals Judging Criteria and Scoring
    Element Objective Scoring Weight
    A. Business Plan Presentation
    		   65%
    1. Business Plan Feasibility/ Overall Quality 10%
    2. Presentation Professionalism / Teamwork 15%
    3. Promotional Video Originality / Creativity 10%
    4. Exhibition Attractive / Attention-getting 10%
    5. Prototype Functional / Realistic 15%
    6. Elevator Speech Compelling / “Short and Sweet” 5%
         
    B. Consistency with Award Priorities   35%
    Total Percent   100%


    Evaluation Scale: 1-5
    Business Plans will be evaluated on the following criteria with points assigned on this rating scale:
    0 = Does not meet the criteria at all or attempt to – Unacceptable.
    1 = Meets the criteria but unacceptable - Very poor.
    2 = Meets the criteria minimally – Poor.
    3 = Meets the criteria but does not exceed it – Adequate.
    4 = Meets criteria and substantially exceeds it – Good.
    5 = Meets criteria and demonstrates highest excellence and superiority – Excellent.

    A. Business Plan Final Presentation (Maximum 65 points)
    1. Business Plan– Maximum points = 10, i.e. 5 points each Points
  • How feasible is the business idea in real market conditions
    		•   
  • How well does the overall business plan present the idea and its elements
    		•   
       
    2. Presentation– Maximum points = 15, i.e. 5 points each  
  • How effectively and compellingly does the team present the project
    		•   
  • How well does the presentation demonstrate personal teamwork and cooperation
    		•   
  • How clear is the verbal presentation of the business idea and activities
    		•   
       
    3. Promotional Video – Maximum points = 10, i.e. 5 points each  
  • How effective does the promotional video sell the product / service
    		•   
  • How well does the promotional video present an image of quality for the business
    		•   
       
    4. Exhibition– Maximum points = 10, i.e. 5 points each  
  • How much attention the Team’s booth attracts in the exhibition
    		•  
  • How professional and creative does the Team’s booth appear in the exhibition
    		•   
       
    5. Prototype– Maximum points = 15, i.e. 5 points each  
  • The prototype demonstrates the product/services features/characteristics
    		•   
  • How well does the Team present a credible and / or functioning prototype
    		•   
  • How well does the prototype demonstrate innovative design / functionality
    		•   
       
    6. Elevator Speech– Maximum points = 5 points total  
  • How well does the Elevator Speech summarizes the business idea
    		•   


    B. Award Priority Themes (Maximum 35 points Total)
      Points
    1. Spirit of Entrepreneurship:
    Demonstrates teamwork in overcoming personal obstacles    		  
    2. Social Entrepreneurship:
    Demonstrates business social responsibility and positive impact in the community    		  
    3. New Markets:
    Satisfies a new or an unmet market need    		  
    4. Tradition and Culture:
    Integrates traditional knowledge or culture in a new business or process    		  
    5. Creative Design:
    Demonstrates the unique/competitive features/characteristics of the product/service    		  
    6. eBusiness:
    Uses internet to facilitate their selling strategy and operations    		  
    7. International Alliance:
    Teams with members from outside of the Americas demonstrating similar criteria as above    		  
       
    Total Points Awarded Maximum = 100  
       
    Comment:  
    Judges may also include a brief statement of their observations and analysis:  


    One additional Bonus Point will be added to the final score of each Business Plan that is submitted in one or more of the following sectors:
    • Tourism.
    • Agribusiness.
    • Technology.
    • Environment.

    TIC Americas Awards
    Awards & Benefits
    Teams Finalists Winners
    Sponsor Assistance in Project preparation
    On-line training, website, prototype development, video production.
    		Travel for the team CEO to Peru.
    (From teams representing OAS Member States.
    International Teams from non-OAS Member States
    are responsible for all of their own expenses.)

    Follow-up Links.
    internships and training opportunities


    *YABT will select up to 30 teams to compete in the finals.
    US $3,000
    Follow-up Links.
    Training and mentoring opportunities.

    Awardees will be given the opportunity
    to attend the GlobalTiC in Asia.
         
    		7 TIC Americas Awards
    For participants from the Americas
  • Spirit of Entrepreneurship
  • Social Entrepreneurship
  • New Markets
  • Tradition and Culture
  • Creative Design
  • E-Business
  • International Alliance
    •

    Regional, national, local, and sponsored awards will be announced separately.


    TIC Americas Recap

    Phase I:
    On-line Semi-Finals Competition October 2009 - April 2010

  • Register a business idea and access online resources through www.ticamericas.net
  • Submit a promotional video, website, prototype, and a business plan
  • All required documents may be submitted in Spanish or English, however, they must be in English for the Finals in Peru.
  • Business Plan experts, partners and sponsors evaluate Business Plans.
    • Phase II
    TIC Americas Finals Competition in Peru June 2010
  • Finalists receive a scholarship to travel for the team CEO to the Finals event (TIC Americas) to take place in Peru prior the XL General Assembly of the OAS in June 2010.
  • Approximately 30 teams will be selected to compete in the TIC Americas Finals event.
  • International Finalists may compete for the International Alliance Award in the Finals.
  • 6 teams from OAS Member States will receive TIC Americas Awards.
  • 1 International team will receive the TIC Americas International Alliance Award
  • TIC Americas Awards Winners receive a cash prize, training, mentoring, and certificate.
  • 7 TIC Americas Awards – one in each of the following categories:
  • Spirit of Entrepreneurship
    		•
  • Creative Design
    		•
  • Social Entrepreneurship
    		•
  • E-Business
    		•
  • New Markets
    		•
  • International Alliance
    		•
  • Tradition and Culture
    		•   

    • YABT and its sponsors may present other prizes according to specific criteria. These regional, national, local, and sponsored awards will be announced separately.
    What type of projects can be presented? Teams comprised of young people from OAS Member States and internationally are invited to submit business plans according to the following Rules and Terms of Reference.

    Innovative projects in the following priority areas are encouraged:

  • Environment: To create socially responsible entrepreneurs to strengthen conservation, sustainable development, energy, and water resource management.
  • Tourism: To promote the development of opportunities for young people in the tourism industry, including culture
  • Agribusiness: To utilize the region’s agricultural capacity to create economic growth thereby creating employment opportunities for young people
  • Technology: To realize the potential economic benefits that technology can bring to business and the community

    The Project can be any type of initiative that supports development.
    		• Link Download  
    Do I need a concept paper to register? It is not necessary to have a concept paper to register. Participants are able to start the concept paper after registration; utilizing resources offered by YABT such as BOOT Camp and the mentorships. Link Download  
    Can I submit a project individually? 
 You may not submit the project individually. The minimum number of people in a team should be three and ten should be the maximum. Link Download  
    By next year I will 36 years old, am I still able to participate? All team members (excluding mentors) must not be more than 35 years of age prior to 11:59 pm of December 31, 2009. Proof of age will be required for Finalists. Link Download  
    Can I participate in multiple projects? Participants can participate in multiple projects.

    The competition has no restrictions on how many teams participants can join.    		 Link Download  
    What should I take in consideration to increase my advantages in the competition? To increase advantages develop an innovative idea that solves a current problem in the market. It is an advantage of course to be knowledgeable of the market and find an area that can be easily merged with the venture.

    An important aspect is to never lose the entrepreneurial spirit and always seek ways of learning and receiving feedback.    		 Link Download  
    If I have participates in other competition without receiving any awards, can I participate? Absolutely, the competition has no restrictions against projects that have participated in other competitions. Link Download  
    Does TIC Americas follow any specific template for a Business Plan? A Business Plan must consider a minumum standard of information.  You may find a suggested business plan template. Those Business Plans that most closely address these points will be at a competitive advantage.  Link Download  
    Are there any chances for project funding? TIC Americas offers cash prizes and offers many resources such as associations and opportunity for visibility in major international markets, but it depends on each team knows how to use the many resources that YABT provides for project success.

    Each prize includes:

    Cash $ 3,000 - Save the Audience Favorite Award A trophy for the Team Award winner TIC Americas.

    A certificate for each member registered as a Winning Team TIC Americas.

    Participation in the YABT/ TIC Americas Network.

    Other opportunities such as:
  • Networks: An Exhibition of the project in international events.
  • Tutoring
  • Training
  • Promotion.

    Winners have the opportunity to participate in the Award and Global Tic Forum. YABT assists in the process of obtaining visas and institutional support to the Team, however, the teams will get the financial resources to cover the costs of their participation.
    		• Link Download  
    What is the Global Tic? Global Tic is a competition that brings together the winners of all Tics around the world; which considered a global competition with greater importance. Global Tic takes place in Asia. Link Download  
    What are the judging criteria for each category or division of the contest? To read the judging criteria and scroring click here Link Download  
    What information I need to upload and which one is the suggested format?

    Judges will evaluate the following: Prototype, Website – including the online catalogue, Promo / Advertising Video, Marketing Study, Final Business Plan 

    You may download the suggested format to present the information listed above.

    		Link Download