The Australian EChallenge in Schools, organized by the University of Adelaide, invites South Australian teams of secondary students to develop and present a strategic business plan for a new entrepreneurial venture. Participants receive mentorship, access to workshops, and resources to enhance their business skills while competing for awards and recognition. The program has promoted entrepreneurship among youth for over 13 years, fostering collaboration and practical investment experiences.

1. The University of Adelaide presents the
Australian eChallenge
in Schools
adelaide.edu.au/echallenge

2. The Australian eChallenge provides a proven
teaching and learning environment;
>> that exposes participants to the world of
commercialisation
entrepreneurial leadership
entrepreneurial strategy development
strategic business planning
and venture financing
The Australian eChallenge is based around
the development and submission of a
comprehensive strategic business plan
for the development of an early stage
entrepreneurial venture. Participants pitch
their opportunities to panels of potential
investors from the local business community.
It is a competition where entrepreneurial
teams of students compete for prizes and
the prestige of being nominated the most
outstanding Australian eChallenge in Schools
entrepreneurial venture for the year.
The Process
South Australian schools can enter teams of
2-6 students into the Australian eChallenge
in Schools stream. They must develop a
business plan for a new, previously unfunded
business concept. To help them in this process,
the Australian eChallenge offers competitors
unprecedented access to top South
Australian business acumen and expertise.
Teams submit a business concept proposal
in the first round. Each concept proposal is
sent to 3 judges from the business community.
Teams are paired with an experienced
mentor from the business community,
whose knowledge is invaluable in helping
to construct a model that will prove to be a
sustainable, growth oriented entrepreneurial
business. Participants also have access to
the Blackboard Australian eChallenge online
course, containing course work, readings,
video and PowerPoint presentations. There
are approximately nine modules covering all
aspects of business planning.
A series of workshops, presented by
specialists in their various fields, outline the
steps to building a successful business: from
developing and assessing their idea, through
to marketing, finance, intellectual property,
writing the plan and delivering a presentation
The business plans are submitted for
assessment, leaving the teams two weeks
to prepare their presentation, before pitching
to the judges.
The judges, drawn from our sponsors, look for
the overall commercial viability of the business
based on the quality of the opportunity, the
market, competitive advantage and the team
strengths and weaknesses.
The Australian eChallenge in Schools winning
team, parents and course advisor will attend
the black tie Awards Dinner.
Benefits for participants:
Provides clear milestones for venture teams
An opportunity for secondary student’s to
experience University life
Forms a strong mentoring foundation
Realistic investment experiences
Key learning and support resources
Embedding ventures firmly into local
business communities
Launch pad for ventures both locally and
internationally
Students own their IP
Networking with the business community
and tertiary students
Fosters individual and small group
inventiveness
Captures the spirit of collaboration
through all stages of the innovation and
commercialisation process
The University of Adelaide, through the
Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation and
Innovation Centre (ECIC), has developed a
considerable range of skills, procedures and
competencies in successfully staging this
event. Each year the Australian eChallenge
captures the energy of young, bright
entrepreneurial enthusiasm and channels it
into investment-ready early
stage companies.
The Australian eChallenge, run by the Entrepreneurship Commercialisation and
Innovation Centre (ECIC) at the prestigious University of Adelaide, has stimulated
entrepreneurship in Australia for over 13 years.
Australian eChallenge
in Schools
2 The Australian eChallenge in Schools

3. TBA Workshop 1: Introduction to the Australian eChallenge
and Entrepreneurship
Thu 31 July Workshop 2: Developing your Unique Selling Proposition,
and How to Write a Winning Concept Proposal
Thu 7 August Workshop 3: How to Research the Market
Mon 11 August Team Registration and Concept Proposal Due
Thu 14 August Workshop 4: How to Write a Business Plan
Thu 21 August Workshop 5: How to Raise and Manage Cash for a Start-up
Thu 28 August Feedback from judges
Thu 28 August Workshop 6: Understanding Intellectual Property Issues
for Start-up Enterprises
Sun 31 August Final changes to team composition due
Thu 4 September Workshop 7: How to Present the Opportunity
Thu 11 September Workshop 8: How to Pitch and Promote Your Idea
Thu 25 September Venture Showcase (Bonython Hall)
Mon 13 October Business Plans Due
Thu 23 October Workshop 9: 60 Second Pitch Training
Fri 31 October Final judging
Thu 13 November Awards Dinner (Adelaide Oval)
Schedule of Events
Students from participating schools are
required to attend the workshops which
are held on the University of Adelaide
North Terrace Campus, 5:30-7pm.
The Australian eChallenge in Schools 3

4. For more information regarding
the Australian eChallenge in Schools
program contact:
Zrinka Tokic — eChallenge Program Manager
Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation and Innovation Centre
The University of Adelaide
SA 5005 Australia
Telephone: +61 8 8313 7131
Email: zrinka.tokic@adelaide.edu.au
www.adelaide.edu.au/echallenge
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programs and courses available will change from time to time. Please refer to adelaide.edu.au
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CRICOS 00123M © The University of Adelaide. Published May 2014