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 > Colorado

As the owner of three different corporations started from scratch, I enjoy the excitement and rush of the transition of a creative idea into reality. I am a private investor interested in new ideas that have the strength to become a reality. Having a dual degree in finance and real estate helped me build my companies which started our as an idea and have over the past 15 years continued to blossom. My experience includes: an FDIC / Supervisoy Liquidation Specialist managing and disposing of $2B in assets for the government - to being a Court Receiver managing Real Property in Dispute. My current businesses are in Manufacturing, Specialized Freight Transpotation and the Casino Gaming Industry,

$100,000 to $1,000,000

United States > Connecticut

over 30 years in Business Development and investment.

$50,000 to $500,000

United States > New York

15 years in investing in real estate development. 15 years owning Mortgage companies 15 years owning and operating, consulting,advisement of real estate Own and operate real estate funding company Teach, consult, mentor real estate entrepreneurs

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

United States > New York

I work at a big four accounting firm in NYC in the audit department. I have saved up some money and I am now looking to generate a return on it. I have no investing experience.

$5,000 to $40,000

United States > Georgia

No Up Front Fees! Loans Must make sense. We will Finance thru Loans, JVs, Private Placements, and other Alternative Financing. We will consider ALL loan requests but need Complete Package for FAST Pre-Approval including: Executive Summary and Passport. Client Must also submit Bank Statement to show financial responsibility (client cannot ask for a $2 Million Dollar financing but have nothing in the Bank... Loans must make sense). Fast Pre-Approvals.

$2,000,000 to $5,000,000,000

United States > New York

I have been working in the Food industry for the past 8 years and closed significant deals with major retailers and brands. Deep knowledge of the Food Supply Chain. I am interested in bringing strategy expertise and network.

$10,000 to $40,000

United States > Colorado

I am a consultant for developers that have $50MiL and up. We look for beachfront or down town projects. We also look for investors that have strong developer skills. We also would like our developers to have funds to invest in their project.

$20,000,000 to $95,000,000

United States > New York

Experienced merchant banker. Talented at taking companies public in a number of industries.

$50,000 to $1,000,000