Navigating through the proposal
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What we are asking for from Open Society Foundations
Our outputs &
What we will offer in return
The ask
We are seeking £642,000 from Open Society Foundations to fund development of a proposal to finance the initatives outlined on this site, which we anticipate will require 12 months to complete.
The funds will be used as follows:
Specific costs are indicated in the following intemised budget:
Budget for developing the detailed proposal & presentation material
A major initiative
The initiative we propose is considerable. Done well, it will produce focussed change that will influence policy and policy-makers, improve the technical skills of policy advisors globally and improve the quality of debate in the UK public sphere. Collectively, the multiple initiatives will require funding that will run to several hundreds of million of pounds. To attract this level of financing, we will require a highly professional and persuasive proposal that will explain clearly what the initiatives will involve, what we expect them to achieve and how they will create change.
What we are asking for
While we have the knowledge and experience to develop the concepts behind the proposal and the commercial experience to execute it, developing a proposal of the impact required is beyond our capabilities and means. We are seeking funding to develop the proposal. That will cover our personal financial requirements over the period of a year as well as the costs of coming together to formulate the proposal and to gain initial support from potential subsequent participants in the various aspects of the initiatives.
The outputs & . . .
A fully-worked financial model with scenarios and contingencies
A fully-costed model of development of all aspects of the intiative with revenue scenarios and variable-cost contingencies allowing clear calculation of capital requirements under foreseeable scenarios.
A development timeline for all initiatives
Presentation material for potential funders
A comprehensive business proposal for potential funders outlining the investment required, commercial performance of the for-profit entities and projections for all areas of the initiative, prepared as a professionally-presented brochure.
Professionally-made, broadcast-quality videos of the proposal allowing potential funders to visualise what we envisage, the business plan, performance contingencies and public benefit aspects of the proposed initiatives and how they might work together, featuring opinions of politicians, academics, think-tank leaders and business leaders.
Constitution of the corporate vehicles
Registered corporate vehicles with appropriate constitutional documentation ready for investment. This will include creating the for-profit and not-for-profit vehicles, relevant charitiable trusts with structures suitable for expansion to additional jurisdictions where relevant.
A growth plan for each of the commercial entities
The two commercial entities, XPLN Media and University of St James, London ProSPEc both have signficant growth potential. Defining that potential and how it might be achieved will be essential to ensure appropriate corporate structures and focus in early stages of growth.
Understanding relevant planning & design parameters
A systematic review of planning requirements associated with re-development of a London headquarters facility and the country campus / estate faciilities.
Preliminary architectural drawings and costings for development of the event / colloquia facilities at the country estate and associated accommodation for guests and staff, as well as suitable remote work areas, entertaining, performance and exhibition spaces.
Regulatory approval preparation and preliminary submission
Preliminary registration of the university ProSPEc and the XPLN channel with respective regulators (Office for Students and OfCom) with business plans and completed regulatory submissions involving development and submission of relevant planning, content and other documents.
For the proposed TV channel
Programming schedule for three months
Programming schedule for three months of operation of the television / mutlimedia channel with associated intellectural property rights secured (or, at least, under preliminary negotiation) and IP documentation & clearances for broadcast.
TV content proof of concept & content
Video examples of proposed debate formats showing introductory package formats, live debate content, graphics and continuity packages and programme sponsorhip components;
Commissioned focus group reaction to the content.
For University of St James, London ProSPEc
Prepared course content for the university curriculum
A comprehensive curriculum plan and prospectus for the initial university courses up to post-graduate level with clear explanation of departures from current teaching practice, learning outcomes, and review by potential (UK only) employers
Agreements in concept and (where possible) 'heads-of' terms with preferred international academics for course involvement and content preparation
Technology and techology security infrastructures
Selection of a comprehensive learning management system solution for ProSPEc
Selection of technology to support the broadcast requirements of XPLN Media, online functionality and archiving / access functionality
Narrative monthly reporting on progress and reporting on use of funds.
What we will offer to Open Society Foundations in return for Phase 1 funding
Positioning as founding investors
By supporting these initiatives at the nascent stage, early investors will be positioned as founding partners in one of the most ambitious knowledge/educational/media projects of our generation. Funders who suppport developing the subsequent, wider investment proposal will, forever, be founding investors. We believe strongly that the initiatives we proposal will be impactful and highly visible. We aspire to make them influential in promoting the values of an open, liberal and democratic society. Early participation will earn founding investors both visibility and kudos within the parameters of the institutions we will establish with those with whom we interact — and to whom we will broadcast.
Naming / legacy opportunities
As initial funders, there will be multiple opportunites to stamp your brand on our initiative — buildings, theatres, conference rooms and virtually — as well as active subsequent participation in events and in the media we will establish.
The commercial opportunity
Conversion of initial investment in to equity in each of the commercial vehicles on preferential terms
Potential for conversion of the £642,000 into (first-round) equity on preferential terms in subsequent for-profit commercial vehicles.
Funding for investment proposal development will, on realisation of the commercial launch of the XPLN Media and University of St James, London ProSPEc, be converted to class A shares (those that will also be issued to subsequent investors) attracting dividends at a 20% discount the subsequent offer price. Corporate control and discretion over subsequent capital-raising and disposal for each shareholding-based vehicle will be retained through specific rights attached to class B shares which will not attract dividends. These will be retained by the Principals.