Entrepreneur - Business Plan Tips

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

Canada > Langley

We invest in commercial (warehouse, office, retail) income producing properties only. We are an investment group that looks for a purchase price of no less than 1M and no maximum. Extensive experience in the industry.

$1,000,000 to $10,000,000

United States > Connecticut

Served as a non-profit organization's board member and am currently obtaining my MBA.

$1 to $10,000

United States > Florida

We have been in business for 12 years. The decision makers in our organization has over 30 years of experience. We understand how difficult it is for a start up and existing businesses to get funding in this economy at this time. The traditional lenders are afraid to relax their lending practices here in the United States and worldwide. We are ready, willing, and able to fund new Start ups and exciting Businesses here in the United States and abroad. We do not charge any upfront fees and depending on the program we won't need any collateral to get you funded. We can you help with business plans and advisory consultation if needed. We are there if you need us after funding. We can get an approval in 24-48 hours. And get you funded within 2 weeks depending on the clients proactive involvement. We look forward to funding your project.

$50,000 to $5,000,000

United States > New York

I am an individual angel investor seeking moderate returns on debt financing with terms of up to one year. I would be glad to consider very short-term loans, such as for companies needing funding before an equity round closes. I would prefer not to take equity or convertible notes, as I prefer a "hands-off" investment approach. I am a corporate lawyer and regularly work with companies and investors in debt financing transactions, and so I am very familiar with debt financing documentation and practices.

$5,000 to $50,000

United States > New York

This is a test account.

$2,000 to $100,000,000

United States > Iowa

Ask me to send you my résumé.

$50,000 to $500,000

United States > California

We are funding projects... Email me your contact info and I will call you ASAP!

$250,000 to $100,000,000

United States > New Jersey

My name is Abraham Rodriguez, currently living in north Jersey. My future involvement in investing ranges from hands-off to advisory, depending on the product or company needs. I will work directly as an individual investor.

$1 to $50,000

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