Judges
Business plans will be judged by a panel of professionals in the Redeemer community from various industries including venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. The not-for-profit plans will go through a similar timeline and process as the for-profit businesses, but will be judged by a different pool of judges created in partnership with HFNY. Plans for ventures in the arts will be judged according to their category and legal structure, in either the not-for-profit or for-profit categories.
Criteria
Judges will evaluate the business plans and presentations based on the following criteria:
1. Compelling Need: How does addressing this compelling need make a gospel impact?
2. Innovation/Operating model: Is the venture innovative? Can the venture’s operation (current or planned) carry out its stated goals and does it reflect gospel values?
3. Financial Sustainability: Does the venture have reasonable financial assumptions and a plan for finding financing options?
4. Strong Leadership and Management: The founders/leaders have a sound plan for the venture and the qualifications to implement it in the New York area.
5. Future Relationship: Is there a potential for an ongoing relationship with the Entrepreneurship Initiative? Are these people we can promote and associate with?
Appendix A – Redeemer Presbyterian Church Core Values
Redeemer Presbyterian Church is a center-city community of changed people who are committed to serving and renewing New York City through a movement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel: The 'gospel' is the good news that through Christ the power of God's kingdom has entered history to renew the whole world. When we believe and rely on Jesus' work and record (rather than ours) for our relationship to God, that kingdom power comes upon us and begins to work through us.
Changed People: The gospel changes people from the inside out. Christ gives us a radically new identity, freeing us from both self-righteousness and self-condemnation. He liberates us to accept people we once excluded, and to break the bondage of things (even good things) that once drove us. In particular, the gospel makes us welcoming and respectful toward those who do not share our beliefs.
City: We believe that nothing promotes the peace and health of the city like the spread of faith in the gospel. It renews both individual lives and reweaves the fabric of whole neighborhoods. We believe that nothing moves Christians to humbly serve, live with, and love all the diverse people of the city like the gospel does.
Community: The gospel creates a new community which not only nurtures individuals but serves as a sign of God's coming kingdom. Here we see classes of people loving one another who could not have gotten along without the healing power of the gospel. Here we see sex, money, and power used in unique non-destructive and life-giving ways.
Movement: We have no illusions that our single church or our Presbyterian tradition is sufficient to renew all of New York City spiritually, socially, and culturally. We are therefore committed to planting (and helping others plant) hundreds of new churches, while at the same time working for a renewal of gospel vitality in all the congregations of the city.
Serving: Though we joyfully invite every person to faith in Jesus, we are committed to sacrificially serving our neighbors whether they believe as we do or not. We do this by using our gifts and resources for the needs of others, especially the poor. And more than merely meeting individual needs, we work for justice for the powerless.
Renewing: We believe that the gospel has a deep, vital, and healthy impact on the arts, business, government, media, and academy of any society. Therefore we are highly committed to support Christians' engagement with culture, helping them work with excellence, distinctiveness, and accountability in their professions.