Capstone Guidelines & Timeline
Investor‑Ready Startup Capstone (13 Weeks)
Extend your best mini‑projects into one linked Excel model and a clear, professional pitch. This page summarizes the timeline, deliverables, and expectations.
13‑Week Timeline
Milestones align with our weekly checkpoints
- Week 1: Concept proposal & roles
- Week 2: Market research sheet
- Week 3: Unit‑economics table (break‑even)
- Week 4: CapEx/OpEx budget + codes
- Week 5: Funding strategy (loan/cap table)
- Week 6: PriceLab v2 + CVP chart
- Week 7: Payroll register (gross→net)
- Week 8: Inventory macro demo (FIFO/LIFO)
- Week 9: Depreciation schedule (SLN/DDB)
- Week 10: Integrated 3‑statement draft
- Week 11: Scenario dashboard + tornado
- Week 12: Pitch deck draft (10 slides)
- Week 13: Live pitch + model‑tour video
Linked Excel Model
Evidence of automation and integrity
- All three statements linked; no hard‑coded totals
- Validation dashboard (traffic lights)
- Scenario Manager and sensitivity table
- Macro or button to refresh statements (optional)
Investor Pitch
10 slides, concise and visual
- Problem → Solution → Market → Financials arc
- KPI visuals that match the model
- On‑time delivery, 8–11 minutes + Q&A
Model‑Tour Video
≤ 3 minutes, clear link showcase
- Show sheet linkages, not just totals
- Explain top 2–3 assumptions and risks
- Audio clear; cursor highlights formulas
Assessment Plan
How this project affects your grade
Formative (60%)
- Benchmark tasks (Weeks 1–11)
- Peer‑review checklists (Weeks 2, 4, 6, 10)
- Weekly CAP reflections
Summative (40%)
- Final business plan & Excel model
- Investor pitch (slides + live)
- Model‑tour video & peer‑critique quality
Expectations & Best Practices
Professional standards for investor‑readiness
- Document all formulas and cite sources
- No hard‑coded numbers in statements
- Use validation and error flags to self‑audit
- Keep a change‑log for major edits
- Run at least three scenarios (best/base/worst)
- Explain sensitivity drivers with visuals
- Practice your pitch timing and transitions
- Be ready to answer “How do you know?”