The document outlines a business plan for Thetextexchange.com, a proposed student-to-student marketplace. It would allow college students to buy, sell, and trade used textbooks and other products. The founders aim to attract 500,000 registered users in the first year. The business plan details the company summary, market analysis of the growing student population, marketing strategy focusing on campus promotion, technology platform using Microsoft, and 3-year financial projections forecasting profitability. Initial funding of Rs. 55 lakhs is sought to launch the website and marketing campaign.
3. • Thetextexchange.com is a
student-to-student Internet
marketplace providing college
students with the opportunity to
buy, sell and trade college text
books , post classified ads,
provide teacher evaluations, and
buy products for college.
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5. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• Company Ownership:This business will start out as a simple
partnership, owned by its founders, Mehak Mishra, Meenakshi and
Shailja Gupta.
• Management summary - . Thetextexchange.com will utilize current
college students to fill positions for additional staff in the areas
of regional campus marketing, and local advertisement sales
• Objective -
1) Become the leading Internet student-to-student marketplace
2) Attract 5,00,000 registered users in the first year
3) Achieve 50,000 visits per month
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6. COMPANY SUMMARY
Products and the services
Thetextexchange.com will enable students to buy, sell, and trade used
textbooks, class notes , old tests, computer accessories etc. directly to
other students, by-passing the university bookstores.
> Mission
Thetextexchange.com's mission is to provide college students a valuable
and unique source for products, services and information. In order to
achieve our mission,
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7. MARKET ANALYSIS
• The Punjab University student market is a growing yet
under-served niche market. The Chandigarh Department
of Education expects the Punjab University student market
to grow from 15.8 Lakhs students in 2015 to 17.2 Lakhs in
2018
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8. MARKET GROWTH
• The following table display the estimate of average product sales in the entire university
bookstore market, from largest to smallest segments
• Textbooks
The total textbook/course materials market is estimated to be Rs 25,00,000 based on sales
data for the 2014-2015 academic year.
Course material 70.67% RS.50,00,000
General/trade books 3.40% RS.40,00,000
Student supplies 5.49% RS.15,00,000
Computer products 7.63% RS.25,00,000
Other merchandise 4.96% RS.35,00,000
TOTAL 100% RS.1,65,00,000
New 54.71% Rs.15,00,000
Old 14.86% Rs.25,00,000
Course packs 1.10% Rs.10,00,000
total 70.67% Rs.50,00,0002/6/2016 8thetextexchange.com
10. Marketing Strategy
• The textexchange.com's customers will be the 1,00,00,000 college students in the
Punjab and Chandigarh.
• The main business model for Thetextexchange.com relies on college students
providing textbooks, auctions, classifieds and teacher evaluations available on the
website. Therefore, our focus will be on the marketing strategy to increase student
traffic and usage.
Promotion Strategy
• Position The College Cafe as the market leader.
• Increase company awareness and brand name recognition among college
students.
• Collect market research to create immediate and long-term marketing plans.
.
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11. Marketing Programs
• Posting Flyer in and around campuses
• University and local newspaper advertising and inserts
• Promotional item distribution
• Advertisements at on-campus kiosk
• Indoor/outdoor billboard advertisements at college sporting events
• Banner ads on select related sites with a significant level of traffic
• Links on related web sites
• Traditional media including direct mailings, magazines and TV
• Registration with all the major search engines
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12. SOURCING
• For the retail business component we will establish relationships with
manufacturers or distributors that offer drop-shipments direct to the
customer. . This will allow Thetextexchange.com to keep expenses
associated with inventory and distribution to a minimum.
• For content and other value added service we will establish relationships
with 3rd party vendors. This will enable Thetextexchange.com to offer a
wide variety of products and services online yet allow Thetextexchange.com
to focus on the key business elements; textbooks, auctions, classifieds and
teacher evaluations
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13. TECHNOLOGY
The website is designed with the needs of the
college student as the
focus. Thetextexchange.com is built using
Microsoft technologies which will provide the
flexibility to easily expand products and service
offerings in the future.
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14. FINANCIAL PLAN
• Thetextexchange.com will start reporting
sustained profits during the 9th month of the 1st year.
• Sales and profits by year three will top 1.5x that of year
one.
• It will require an initial investment in capital to
finance the marketing campaign and launch strategy.
• It will require additional investment to fund additional
Web development and general operating expenses
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15. • Start up funding- In order to implement Thetextexchange.com
launch strategy, we are seeking an initial seed investment of
Rs55,00,000. An additional investment of Rs 10,00,000 for
operational expenses
• Use of Funds- Initial funding proceeds will be used primarily for
marketing, additional website development and maintenance. All
the equipment needed will be leased or purchased. The rest of the
funds will be used as working capital
• Exit Strategy - The financial projections indicate that
Thetextexchange.com will have generated enough cash in the next
five years to permit the exit of the outside investors if so desired.
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23. For more assistance about the
financial documents of
thetextexchange.com , you may
visit – thetextexchange.com or
contact the undersigned –
MEHAK MISHRA
MEENAKSHI
SHAILJA GUPTA
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