Computer Software Business Plan

FoodFun Lifeskills Instructional Software (FoodFun LIS) is a start-up organization whose vision is to create the finest education/entertainment software for non-reading individuals with developmental disabilities. To meet the specific needs of this customer segment, the software product was designed and developed by a Ph.D. veteran in special education. The software will be helpful by teaching life skills. It will also be fun to use and encourage students to use it often. FoodFun LIS is an Illinois L.L.C. by founder and owner is Sue Altamirankow, Ph.D. and will be based in Chicago.

The Market

FoodFun identified four distinct market segments interested in the software. These segments are the most likely consumers of the software. These segments are:

• Centers for Independent Living These centers are designed to teach individuals with developmental disabilities how to live independently. The four main life skills that individuals need to live independently are the core of the curriculum.
• Schools#8211 All states are required by law to provide special education for students under 21. FoodFun’s software can be used by school districts to help students acquire essential life skills.
• Proactive Families Parents that are actively involved in the education of their children, will be searching for resources they can use at home.
• Agents Many states have set up agencies that act like brokers to help people connect with service providers. The agencies have generally been formed as a result of a settlement or payout from a lawsuit (including class action).

Parents are expected to purchase only one copy of the program, while the other segments will generally purchase multiple copies/site licenses and are likely to purchase upgrades to subsequent versions.

The product

Grocery shopping and socialization/leisure are two of the main lifeskills which individuals with developmental disabilities are taught. FoodFun developed a software product that can be used as a teaching tool for these essential skills. The software’s first component is grocery shopping. This can be described as a digital recipe book. Each recipe is represented visually by a photograph. The picture is selected by the student. A list of pictures shows the ingredients and the utensils that are needed to make it. The student can print out the photos and bring them to the grocery shop, where they can shop independently.

The second component is the socialization/leisure time module that provides the user with a choice of many different social events/parties for which they can prepare food. This module allows students plan parties (and we all love to plan parties), and includes music that is linked to each social event. Many people with developmental disabilities (or most) will experience joy when they click on a particular social event and hear the music.

Competitive Edge

There are several companies on the market selling educational products for this target segment. FoodFun LIS will increase their competitive advantage by incorporating entertainment in their software product. This is a way to create interest and joy while using their software. This interest and joy will increase the amount of time that the students use the software, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the program. FoodFun believes that students will use the software more often if they enjoy it than if they have to force them to.

Management

FoodFun was established by Sue Altamirankow. Sue is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a Masters and Ph.D. degree in special education. She has taught in university settings for eight years. Her groundbreaking thesis, “Implications In Lifeskill Training For Individuals with Autism” was published. This paper carefully studied every aspect of lifeskills. This thesis was the basis of her idea to create a software company. She was able create a study method that was effective and fun. It would be fun for the students because they would enjoy it. It would also teach important life skills.

for individuals with developmental disabilities, who can now live more independently. FoodFun projects revenues of $400,397 in years two and three, and $490,000.000 in years three and four.

1.1 Mission

To develop educational software that is fun to use by people with developmental disabilities. Our software will provide lifeskills training that empowers the individuals and make them more independent. We exist to make products that the market demands and have a positive impact on society.

Success keys 1.2

• Make educational software that is both constructive and entertaining. If the software is not enjoyable, it won’t get used.
• Use a strong marketing campaign for the software’s benefits to increase awareness among school districts, brokerages, training centers, and parents.
• Design strict financial controls for the organization.

1.3 Objectives

• For the first two consecutive years, triple your sales.
• Achieve 20% market penetration by year four.
• Assist more than 10,000 different individuals with development disabilities.