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

I am an ambitious individual who has found a very fond interest in investing, business, and entrepreneurship. I am currently married with no kids, but that will hopefully change in a few years. I currently work in the IT industry as a developer and have been in IT for the past 6+ years. I have a bachelors degree in Cybersecurity, but do not use it at all in my current profession. I don't have a ton of investment experience but I do have an e-commerce investment that is active and had previously done a lot of research and hands-on with real estate; however, I felt it wasn't the right time for me to get into it. Since I have a lot of experience as a developer, I'd be happy to be hands-on with any investment if I feel I can allocate enough time to make it worth it. I feel my background in the area may prove useful for those less familiar with the subject.

$1,000 to $50,000

United States > Pennsylvania

I am a real estate investor looking for deals.

$1 to $50,000

United States > Pennsylvania

An innovative and adaptable investor / entrepreneur executive with 20+ year experience in large corporate and small start-up entrepreneurial environments. Deep understanding of how business strategy, technology and operations intersect. Possess a solid foundation and reputation as an explorer, distiller, collaborator and orchestrator in the Life Science, Healthcare and Technology arenas. Located in greater Philadelphia area looking to partner /invest in technology based scalable start-up business to create value.

$1 to $100,000

United States > Pennsylvania

I'm looking to partner up with an established company with an equity position and an active role. Primarily I work in the food industry at the manufacturing level. I do not limit my search in this area, but that is my strength. My goal is to partner up to replace my 9-5 job.

$5,000 to $125,000

United States > Pennsylvania

My husband an I want to start investing in some type of business. I have masters degree and my field of expertise is in healthcare. I have been in management since 2006. I have business experience from my father's business in farming and agriculture years ago. My husband and I are very motivated to start a business.

$30,000 to $60,000

United States > Pennsylvania

I have never invested this way and am thinking about investing at this time. I am the executive Director of a non-profit organization.

$7,500,000 to $10,000,000

United States > Pennsylvania

I represent an angel investor who is interested in expanding his investment portfolio. To date, he has funded projects throughout the United States in biotechnology, manufacturing, software development, IT, energy, health and pharmaceuticals, real estate, nd the gaming industry. He requires a solid 3-5 year exit strategy with a healthy return. His contacts in almost every industry are extensive. The process is simple: once you have my email: 1. contact me through email stating your interest and your project; 2. send me a business plan which should include financials, exit strategy and a bio

$100,000 to $5,000,000

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