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 > Virginia

Minimum of $150,000 in annual revenue with a FICO score of at least 551 can get you anywhere from $5,000 up to $1 Million USD. Can be used for inventory, working capital, or equipment. We will also buy your invoices on net 30 or 60 day terms from B2B sales or services. This is known as factoring or accounts receivable financing.

$5,000 to $1,000,000

United States > New York

Looking to fund mature profitable companies in the security, defence, technology areas. Funding available from $5 million to $15 million dollars.

$5,000,000 to $15,000,000

United States > New York

MBA - Finance Undergrad - MIS & Strategic Management Wharton educated Tech & Finance background, entrepreneurial spirit, analytical, and strategic thinker. Require hands-on involvement in potential investment.

$0 to $500,000

United States > New Jersey

We are a small Investment Firm committed to utilizing our resources & resourcefulness to make deals happen. We evaluate each deal on its own merits and provide customized solutions. Our unique problem solving ability has enabled us to structure and quickly approve even the most complex Commercial, Residential, Personal, Business Loans and Lines Of Credit. Now, this private Investment Firm is making available its lightening speed & creative financial expertise to you and/or your clients. We private money available to fund any project, at any location, in any condition, under creative terms. There are Commercial, Residential, Business, and Personal deals out there that make sense, but for some reason fail to meet institutional criteria. Please contact our office for other creative financing programs that may be of assistance to you in your venture!! Sincerely; David

$0 to $5,000,000

United States > New Jersey

I am a real estate investor with Multi-family properties in New Jersey that I manage. I am looking to expand my holdings within the NY/NJ Metro area and beyond. My company has been in existence since 2005.

$3,000,000 to $15,000,000

United States > Florida

I am a former business owner (two businesses) who has been successful and am looking for an opportunity to invest and build capital.

$10,000 to $65,000

United States > California

Movie Producer,real estate ivestor

$25,000 to $75,000

United States > Pennsylvania

I have some knowledge of investing and am looking to find more opportunities.

$100 to $5,000