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

Owned and operated numerous successful restaurants in NYC.Looking for entrepreneurs who seek additional finance or transfer of ownership. Bi- costal and open to national/international opportunities.

$1,000,000 to $2,000,000

United States > Florida

I have been in the real-estate investment business for more than twenty years.

$25,000 to $50,000,000

United States > Colorado

We specialize in Renewable energy and real estate development.

$2,000,000 to $300,000,000

United States > Missouri

Business consultant, investor and trusted adviser. Advancing the career of Tia Norfleet (first African American female to be licensed by NASCAR.) Looking to build a multicultural race team. Partner @ FYI Unlimited New Image Entertainment Wealth Restoration Foundation Rock Stars and Muscle Cars Cocomo Island Eclipse Event Center Akros Sports Resort Entrepreneur with interests in virtual motorsports, entertainment, film and television. Working also with internet search and eCommerce technologies. Specialties: Expertise in areas of business development and start up. Projects include film, entertainment, sports, radio and television development as well as other high impact industries. Working in several other sectors to include private equity, oil, fuel, bonds and commercial development.

$50,000 to $500,000

United States > New York

31 year old single male from Long Island New York. Currently work as a busy Private Client Associate at a retail banking company. Bachelors degree in Economics from Syracuse University. Current student at a graduate program for finance. I have a diversified equity fund investment account as well as an investment property. In search of a silent investment opportunity that resonates with me, and a venture that I can really get excited about.

$10,000 to $45,000

United States > New Jersey

Looking to grow my investment company. I am the General Manager of a large Private Investments firm

$3,000 to $15,000

United States > California

I represent serious European Investor with $5,000,000. Can call me or email me. Actively looking right now.

$30,000 to $5,000,000

United States > Colorado

Co-founder of two businesses in the home improvement industry as both a service provider and manufacturer. Also, fortune 100 business experience at a senior level of management.

$10,000 to $100,000