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

I'm a private investor who is interested in small size projects. I used to be an entrepreneur myself.

$50,000 to $50,000,000

United States > Georgia

I'm completely new at this and just wanted to see what kind of opportunities there are for investment. I like the idea of helping someone else while making a small profit in return.

$10 to $20,000

United States > Texas

I have invested in several Joint Ventures and have made some pretty good decisions in the past and hope to keep this track record.

$0 to $100,000

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 > Nevada

seeking secure investment opportunities in either mature or new industries

$0 to $10,000,000

United States > New York

Self-driven leader with an exceptional track record over 19 years for surpassing ambitious goals in Fortune 500 companies and the United Nations; throughout the Americas, Europe and Australia. Industries cover a wide range, from industrial products to automotive components, high-high-end logistics, and both government and private sector fundraising for the UNICEF. Enjoy turning challenging situations around through strategic planning, drive for cost-effective results, total quality management, team-building, and excellent diplomacy, negotiation and sustainable partnering with multiple stakeholders. Innovator in harnessing IT to acquire and disseminate information for real-time customer relationship management. Masters in Business and Public Administration from Georgetown and Harvard universities. Extensive professional network in the US and throughout the world. Family man. Currently live in Manhattan.

$500,000 to $2,000,000

United States > New Jersey

Professional Business minded.A forecaster of where and what is happening in my field/business.

$15,000 to $30,000

United States > California

Private Investor

$0 to $15,000,000