New York Investment Network

Business Plan Tips

What Investors Are Looking For In A Plan

Investors, whether angels or VC's, are looking for the same things when reading a business plan. They want to know how big the opportunity is, whether this is the right team to exploit the opportunity, who the competition is, what the risks are, and why they can expect this team to implement successfully. Your job in writing the business plan is to address these questions convincingly and clearly.

Emphasize Your Real Strengths

Highlight what your team brings to the table. If your business hinges on a particular competency (for example, understanding the procurement process), your plan will be more persuasive if one of your team members knows something about it and that is brought out in your plan. Rather than including generic resumes of team members, tailor the resumes to draw out the experience each member has that will make him or her a valuable contributor.

Get To The Point And Make It Clear And Comprehensive

Investors see many business plans. A 20-page plan which clearly lays out your business is far more likely to be read than a 100 page plan. Today, some entrepreneurs are using a 15 slide Powerpoint presentation. If your text is short and punchy, you won't need to repeat yourself, because the reader won't be bogged down keeping ten chapters in their head. Reading the same thing over and over, even if it's in different words, can get really tiring. The more you use brevity and give each concept a single home in your document, the more people will want to read it.

Write In Plain English

If you can't explain your idea in English, either you don't understand what you're talking about (What is a transaction enabled atomic journaling database server, anyway?) or you haven't simplified the idea enough. Think, revise, and try again.

Get Rid Of The Hype

Yes, we know you will be the "premier insert product category here of the Internet, achieving 99% market penetration with 60% customer retention in 3 months". Your product will reach "new heights in customer experience through the use of personalization and one-to-one profiling and customization". It will be "user friendly" because you will be creating a truly "ecstatic customer experience". It is a "quantum leap forward" in the marketplace for product category here. Um, yeah. Believe me, we've read it before. About a dozen times today, in fact. (And by the way, the phrase "quantum leap" really doesn't mean anything.) Stick to a tight, simple explanation of your idea. Convince your reader you'll be the best because your idea is the best, not because you can string a dozen buzzwords together.

Use Quantifiable Information

In each section, back up your assertions with solid facts. Even if you are a new venture and cannot give specific figures on the performance of your business, quote figures for the industry or your competitors. These real figures carry more weight than your assumed projections and give more reality to your plan.

Choose A Huge Market

Especially in the internet world, investors are looking more at the market than at the detailed specifics of your financials. Choose a market that is big enough to be an obvious good opportunity. A business which targets teenage girls who listen to music and has a reasonable chance of capturing 90% of the girls that are online is a huge opportunity. A business which targets net-savvy SAAB mechanics who need prosthetic limbs is not.

Local Investors

United States > New York

Commercial Deals, Commercial Real Estate, New Business Owners, & Those Looking To Expand in the USA Are Encouraged To Contact Us! If you fit the criteria of what our Investors and Lenders are looking for, based on what your business needs are, we will submit your information and put you directly in touch with the Interested Investor(s) or Lender(s) if they are interested. *** Financial Consultants is not a Direct Investor or Lender but we work with many Investors and Lenders all over the country. We work on a “Contingency of Funds Received by You” basis or in some cases the Investor or Lender if you get the funds will pay the fee. NO UP FRONT FEES!

$2,000,000 to $900,000,000

United States > Tennessee

Looking for proven Opportunities. Investment/Equity/Lender.

$1,000,000 to $50,000,000

Belgium > Brussels

I am in investment activities since about 25 years having work for different investment banks and financial companies in London and having direct access to fund. My personal experience is to see the project first and understand the goal to be achieved. Entrepreneur must be involved.

$100,000 to $25,000,000

United States > Georgia

We are a leader in innovative financing. We provide start-up and expansion capital for all kinds of companies – even those that traditional lending institutions can't or won't help. Our founders know how difficult it is to find money. They had a great idea, Make getting the money you need for your business simple and easy.

$1,000 to $1,000,000

United States > New York

I am looking for companies who need immediate funding. My company has partnered with a leading financial firm to offer you access to a wide variety of business financing options specifically customized for home improvement professionals. We offer a simple process with limited paperwork, fast approvals, and funding within 24 hours. Our products include: - Term Loans - Business Lines of Credit - Equipment Financing - Fix 'n' Flip Loans - and more

$15,000 to $10,000,000

United States > New York

Dear Entrepreneur, Your Proposal has been selected and forwarded to me for funding consideration by The New York Investment Network. My name is Richard Barnblatt. I have been in Finnancial Services for over 10 years, providing business and personal loans, and funding projects. Please contact me directly by e-mail at BARENBLATT@AOL.COM

$100,000 to $10,000,000

United States > New York

I worked as a real estate consultant at Morgan Stanley for several years before opening up a retail/restaurant and real estate consulting firm. I have worked with many national real estate investors as well as numerous 2-star NYC restaurants. References are available upon request. I do not charge a retainer fee and you will receive 100% personal service. I have access to more than $500,000,000 in REAL money - no broker chains - direct access.

$500,000 to $200,000,000

United States > Ohio

My objective is to use my liquid funds to invest in a company that needs the help and grow with it.

$0 to $15,000