Pennsylvania 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.

Pennsylvania Investors

United States > Pennsylvania

30 years experience in all aspects of finance

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

United States > Pennsylvania

I am a financial consultant for several small firms and throughout the years, I've assisted these firms in securing additional capital funding for various needs (i.e. expansion, refinance, equity draw, etc.) This experience lead me to become a consultant for my current firm and I specialize in real estate financing. Through our corps group of lenders, we can structure a financing program that can satisfy your funding needs. Depending on the type of project, amount of loan requested, and entrepreneurs credit worthiness, some loans can close within 1 - 2 months. We have the ability to fund projects in Commercial Real Estate, Mining, Oil & Gas, Alternative Energy, Housing, etc.

$250,000 to $500,000,000

United States > Pennsylvania

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

$100 to $5,000

United States > Pennsylvania

I am an IT professional from the Northeast. I do consultant work, invest in mostly in Blockchain projects, and participate in local non-profits. I was the owner of two B Corporations in healthcare before this new venture. My private investments operate with the objective of supporting, funding, and aligning efforts that produce thriving and innovation.

$1 to $30,000

United States > Pennsylvania

I am a loan consultant that can fund your project/business/commercial loan up to $10 million provided you submit all required docs, have a (720) credit score (good credit) for approval. There are no up front fees.

$0 to $10,000,000

United States > Pennsylvania

I have access to multiple funds for investors who are interested in film and television projects. I deal with all types of investors on each project.

$0 to $20,000,000

United States > Pennsylvania

58 years old; married with 4 children. Marketing degree from St. Joseph's University, MBA from Villanova. Founding partner of a specialty insurance brokerage firm with an 18 year track record of success. I am an individual investor looking to invest in people that are committed to success. I am open to either a hands-on or silent role depending on the situation.

$10,000 to $50,000

United States > Pennsylvania

I'm someone with a financial background looking for the opportunity to be a silent investor in a growing business. I have capital and want to help the right business grow.

$1,000 to $50,000