How to Apply to Agents of Change

Each semester Agents of Change takes applications for entry into our entrepreneurship program. I thought it might help if I explained what we look for when we read them.

One of the greatest shortcomings most students have is their inability to adequately communicate their ideas. In business as in life, communication is of utmost importance. When you've only got 30 seconds to explain to a potential investor the merits of your startup, you're going to have to be concise. If said investor can walk away knowing without doubt what your startup is about, you've done your part. It's also important not to include 'marketing-speak,' don't try and sell us, just tell us who you are and what you're about as matter-of-factly as possible.

The application process is competitive, and we'll only end up interviewing a handful of the many teams who apply. Don't skimp on any parts of the form, don't take shortcuts, tell us things simply.

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Your application will be looked over by at least two Agents of Change partners. This is done separately to avoid groupthink. I don't know first hand what the others do, but the process is probably similar across the three of us.

First things first I look at the name submitting the application - do I recognize it from the Student Entrepreneurs community. If so, I'll give the application a bit of extra attention, and in borderline cases the fact that you've been involved goes a long way.

The first question I look at is:

Tell us something impressive about yourself. Something you're proud of achieving

Here I'm looking for magnitude, not achievement type. For example, it could be doing really well in school, that you paid your way through uni after leaving home at 16, or some sick piece of software you wrote that was highly lauded in the tech community. The best way to answer this question is to be specific. Don't tell us how driven and talented you are, tell us about something you've done that implies drive and smarts. Generic claims carry no weight.

Then I take look at the problem, and particularly, why the founders believe they are the people to solve it. Those trying to scratch their own itch tend to have the best answers to the next question:

What is your insight? What do you get about this problem that most people don't?

This is a big one, you're answers here should make me think about your problem in a new light. An uh-huh moment or something that is sounds counter intuitive but might work. Any solutions in the form of products/services should stem from your insights into the problem.

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Don't try to sell us on you, we're immune to 'marketing-speak' anyway. We want to believe in you, all you have to do is communicate yourselves in a way that we understand. Tell us your story.