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 > Florida

I am looking for a company to invest money for their services. I want to be hands off. I would like to invest in night clubs, construction, online, and many more. i just want to invest and make a nice return.

$10,000 to $25,000

United States > Colorado

I am a contact source for many lenders who have funds for the purchase and refi of investment property and many types of business loans including purchasing of commercial & residential mortgage notes. We have been engaged in the financing of real estate investment property and businesses since 1975.

$700,000 to $100,000,000

United States > New York

I'm a college graduate and Brooklyn resident with 10+ years in the event production and hospitality sectors. I am an Angel Investor in over 15 companies and am looking for silent partnerships in ventures.

$50,000 to $500,000

United States > Texas

I am willing to be an angel investor! I enjoy making new contacts and being apart of succeful projects. I have the capital to invest, if the venture appears to be lucrative and love being apart of exciting turn arounds! I am always looking to help new business get off the ground, and turn a profit in the process!

$10,000 to $1,000,000

United States > Florida

Have successfully raised millions of dollars for real estate, technology and beverage endeavors. Current focus in SE USA and Manhattan.

$1,000 to $10,000,000

United States > Nevada

32 Female Las Vegas Individual Investor Looking to make a investment in a solid and organized company. Currently own two business and have a B.S. in psychology.

$10,000 to $20,000

United States > Washington

Working on behalf of my contacts to bring them deals that fit their investment Criteria. I have build a network that I would like to bring potential break though investments to the table.

$10,000,000 to $800,000,000

United States > New York

I am a private money lender and i have been in this business for over 10 years. now. I can help you get a loan at a very affordable interest rate

$750,000 to $10,000,000