• When do I have to submit my concept to participate?

There are three deadlines for the competition. These deadlines are the latest time to submit your concept in time. If you have any questions, please call us until midnight (the upload of the concepts is activated approx. 2 weeks before the respective deadlines).

• What do the deadlines mean?

Within the framework of BPW, you can submit your concept in three competition phases in order to receive two different written and in some cases personal feedback from the jurors after the prizes have been awarded. The submission must be done by midnight of January/March/May at the latest.

• Who evaluates my concept?

In each phase, your concept will be evaluated by two jurors from different industries. So if you submit your concept in all three phases, you will benefit from a total of six feedbacks and can use the information to optimise your execution.

• What is the difference between BPW Plan and BPW Canvas?

The BPW offers you the opportunity to create a classic business plan or to visualise your idea using the Business Model Canvas method. You can also take part in the competition in these two ways. You decide whether you want to submit a business plan, a canvas model or both of them. You can change the method within the phases, for example you can submit a business plan in the first phase and a canvas model in the second phase.

• Is the canvas form sufficient or do I need to add supplements?

The canvas visualises your idea, divided into nine segments. To make it understandable for the reader, it is helpful to explain each segment again. Half a page per segment is recommended.

• Can I only participate with a business plan?

You can participate with a business plan (BPW Plan), with a canvas model (BPW Canvas) or with both methods.

• Do I have to submit a complete business plan in the 1st and/or 2nd phase?

The business plan is structured systematically. You start in phase 1 with the description of your idea, the founding team and give a summary. These chapters are evaluated in the 1st phase. In phase 2 you complete the chapters market analysis and marketing. In the 3rd phase, information on the organisation and company, financing and financial planning will follow. Thus you build up your concept step by step.

• do i have to take part in all competition phases?

You decide whether and in which phase you want to submit your concept for evaluation. However, don't miss the chance to get expert feedback, because it will help you to optimise your concept and prepare yourself for starting your own business.

• How often can I submit my concept to the competition?

You can submit a concept in all three phases of the competition. You decide how often you want to submit a concept.

• Can I submit on my own or with more than one person?

You can also submit as a team. For this it is necessary that all co-founders are assigned to your concept. You will find instructions for the assignment in your profile after successful registration.

• How do I submit my business concept?

You register free of charge on the BPW website. The upload function will be activated approximately two weeks before the deadlines. You will receive an email from us with all the necessary information.

• How does the upload work

You will receive an e-mail from us with all necessary information as soon as the upload has been activated.

• Can I submit my business plan in paper form?

Paper submission is not possible. In order to be admitted on time, you have to submit your concept as a PDF document online.

• When will I receive the Feedback?

After the deadline has expired, we hand over your concept to two jurors, who have about three weeks to evaluate it. After the three weeks, the top teams will be informed by telephone about the next steps. The evaluations are visible in your account one day after the award ceremony.

• How do I handle the Feedback?

You decide whether you accept all or part of the jurors' evaluations and comments and whether you optimise your concept on the basis of the feedback or not. Not all hints have to be implemented, sometimes they only serve as an impulse.

• Why can't I see who evaluated my business concept?

Our jurors evaluate all concepts on a voluntary basis and are not obliged to provide their contact details.

• When will I know if I won?

Approximately 3-4 weeks after submitting your concept, the finalists will receive a call from the BPW team. The finalists in BPW Plan will pitch in front of an expert jury, which will decide about the placement. The finalists in BPW Canvas will pitch live on stage on the award evening. We also produce short image films with all the finalists. One day after the award ceremonies, the evaluations will be made available.

• How much is the prize money?

In total, we award prizes more than 50,000 euros.

• When will the prize money be transferred?

We will transfer the prize money after each award ceremony.