Start a Business: From Idea to Launch
Apply maths, communication, and the scientific method to create a viable business plan.
Subjects Connected
Maths
Startup costs, pricing, profit margins, break-even analysis, revenue graphs
English
Elevator pitch, persuasive writing, business plan communication
Scientific Method
Hypothesis, market research, testing assumptions, iterating
Inspired by Finnish phenomenon-based learning: applying classroom skills to real-world entrepreneurship.
The Big Question
"What problem can you solve, and can you build a business around it?"
In this project, you will develop a business idea, test whether people actually want it, crunch the numbers, and pitch it to potential investors.
Scientific Method: Testing Your Business Idea
The best entrepreneurs think like scientists. They do not just guess — they hypothesise, test, and iterate. The scientific method applies directly to starting a business:
Observe a Problem
What problem do people around you face? What frustrates them? What is missing?
Example: "Students at our school have nowhere to buy affordable, healthy snacks."
Form a Hypothesis
Make a testable prediction about your business idea.
Example: "If we sell homemade trail mix at school for $3, at least 20 students per week will buy it."
Research (Gather Data)
Survey your target market. Ask: Would you buy this? How much would you pay? What flavours would you want?
Test (Minimum Viable Product)
Create a small-scale test. Make a batch, sell to 10 people, collect feedback.
Iterate (Improve)
Analyse results. What worked? What did not? Adjust your product, price, or approach and test again.
Think About It (Think-Puzzle-Explore)
- Think: What do you already know about what makes a business succeed or fail?
- Puzzle: What puzzles you about how businesses make money?
- Explore: How could you find out more? Who could you ask?
Maths: The Numbers Behind a Business
Startup Costs
Every business needs money to get started. These are your startup costs — one-time expenses before you sell anything.
| Example: Trail Mix Business — Startup Costs | Cost |
|---|---|
| Containers (pack of 50) | $25 |
| Labels and stickers | $15 |
| Initial ingredients (bulk buy) | $60 |
| Food handling gloves | $10 |
| Marketing (posters, flyers) | $20 |
| TOTAL STARTUP COST | $130 |
Pricing and Profit Margin
To make a profit, you must sell each item for more than it costs to make:
Worked Example: One Bag of Trail Mix
Cost to make (per bag): Ingredients $1.20 + Container $0.50 + Label $0.30 = $2.00
Selling price: $3.50
Profit per bag: $3.50 - $2.00 = $1.50
Profit margin: ($1.50 ÷ $3.50) x 100 = 42.9%
Break-Even Point
The break-even point is when total revenue equals total costs — the moment you stop losing money and start making a profit.
Worked Example: Break-Even Calculation
Total startup costs: $130
Profit per bag: $1.50
Break-even point: $130 ÷ $1.50 = 86.7 bags
You need to sell 87 bags before you start making a profit!
If you sell 20 bags per week, break-even takes: 87 ÷ 20 = about 4.5 weeks.
Revenue Projections
A revenue projection shows expected income over time:
Projected Revenue vs Costs (12 Weeks)
| Week | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bags sold (total) | 15 | 35 | 60 | 80 | 100 | 125 | 170 | 220 | 275 |
| Revenue ($) | $52 | $123 | $210 | $280 | $350 | $438 | $595 | $770 | $963 |
| Total costs ($) | $160 | $200 | $250 | $290 | $330 | $380 | $470 | $570 | $680 |
| Profit/Loss ($) | -$108 | -$77 | -$40 | -$10 | +$20 | +$58 | +$125 | +$200 | +$283 |
Break-even point is reached around Week 5 when cumulative profit turns positive.
Think About It (What If?)
- What if you raised the price to $4.00? How would break-even change?
- What if a competitor started selling a similar product for $2.50?
- What risks could cause your costs to increase unexpectedly?
English: The Elevator Pitch and Business Plan
The Elevator Pitch (30 seconds)
An elevator pitch is a short, persuasive summary of your business that you could deliver in the time of a lift ride (30 seconds). It must answer three questions clearly:
What?
What is your product or service?
Who?
Who is your target customer?
Why?
Why is it better than what exists?
Example Elevator Pitch:
"Have you noticed there are no healthy snack options at our school canteen? We make fresh, delicious trail mix using locally sourced ingredients. Each bag is just $3.50 — cheaper than a chocolate bar, but far better for your energy and focus. We have already sold 100 bags with zero complaints. We are asking for $130 to scale up production and supply every break time. This is healthy eating that actually tastes good."
Business Plan Structure
1. Executive Summary
One paragraph summary of the entire business plan. Write this last.
2. The Problem and Solution
What problem exists? How does your business solve it?
3. Target Market
Who are your customers? How many are there? What do they want?
4. Financial Plan
Startup costs, pricing, profit margins, break-even analysis, and revenue projections.
5. Marketing Strategy
How will you tell people about your product? Posters, social media, word of mouth?
Think About It (Ethical Dilemma)
"What makes a business ethical?"
- Is it ethical to charge as much as people will pay, even if you could charge less?
- Should a business prioritise profit or social good? Can it do both?
- What responsibilities does a business have to its community?
- Can you think of a business that is both profitable AND doing good?
Key Vocabulary
Revenue
Total money received from selling products or services (before subtracting costs).
Profit
Money left over after all costs are subtracted from revenue. Profit = Revenue - Costs.
Break-Even Point
The number of sales needed for revenue to equal total costs — no profit, no loss.
Profit Margin
Profit as a percentage of selling price. Shows how much of each sale is actual profit.
Elevator Pitch
A 30-second persuasive summary of your business idea, designed to hook an investor's interest.
Hypothesis
A testable prediction. In business: "If we do X, then Y will happen."
Activities & Investigations
Problem Discovery Survey (Scientific Method)
Interview 10-15 people. Ask: "What is something you wish existed or worked better?" Collect answers, look for patterns, and identify a problem worth solving.
Financial Plan (Maths)
For your chosen business idea: list all startup costs, calculate cost per unit, set a selling price, work out profit margin and break-even point. Create a 12-week revenue projection table.
Write Your Elevator Pitch (English)
Write a 30-second elevator pitch for your business. Practice delivering it confidently. Include: the problem, your solution, evidence it works, and your ask (what you need).
Full Business Plan and Pitch Day (All Subjects)
Write a complete business plan and present it to your class as if pitching to investors. Include: problem, solution, target market, financial plan, and marketing strategy. Classmates play the role of investors and ask questions.
Knowledge Check
Test your understanding across all subject areas.
Question 1 Maths
A product costs $4.00 to make and sells for $7.00. What is the profit per item?
Question 2 Maths
Startup costs are $200. You make $2.50 profit per sale. How many sales to break even?
Question 3 Scientific Method
Which of these is a good business hypothesis?
Question 4 Maths
A product sells for $10.00 with a profit of $4.00. What is the profit margin?
Question 5 English
An elevator pitch should include all of the following EXCEPT:
Key Concepts Summary
- ● Maths: Profit = Revenue - Costs. Profit margin = (Profit ÷ Price) x 100. Break-even = Startup costs ÷ Profit per unit. Revenue projections help predict future earnings.
- ● English: An elevator pitch is 30 seconds of clear, persuasive communication. A business plan uses structured writing to present a complete strategy.
- ● Scientific Method: Business uses the same cycle as science — observe, hypothesise, research, test, and iterate based on evidence.
- ● Connection: Successful businesses combine strong maths (the numbers work), clear communication (people understand the value), and a scientific approach (test before you invest).