Georgia 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.

Georgia Investors

United States > Georgia

I am an IT management professional with 20+ years of technical and management experience. I have good experience executing very challenging projects and working with upper management

$10,000 to $50,000

United States > Georgia

Our company works in the capacity of a consultant. We have a close relationship with private investors who are aggressively looking to invest in unique startups,businesses looking for capital to expand and projects needing capital raises.The trust we have with our investors allows us to screen, consult and connect. The process that my partner and I have developed has been very successful mainly because of our combined 55 years in the finance, insurance and marketing industries. On a personal note, we are both married with children and use our dedication to our families to motivate us to put our best foot forward with each our our clients. We are a company that believes wholeheartedly in living by the golden rule "treat other's the way you want to be treated".

$10,000,000 to $50,000,000

United States > Georgia

Have a 21,000 sq foot industrial building in South Georgia available for participation in start up or ongoing business venture (e.g., Recycling, warehousing, manufacturing, hydroponics).

$10,000 to $50,000

United States > Georgia

Retired executive with background in engineering, telecommunications, IT and real estate seeking to invest.

$20,000 to $200,000

United States > Georgia

I am a financial professional working for a large financial institution. My current role at the firm includes investing and sitting on the boards of private corporations. Outside of my “day job” I have invested in several profitable businesses and continue to be a minority investor in these businesses providing board level support and business strategy oversight. Ideal opportunities would be growing business (500K + revenue) with an established business model. I will entertain some venture capital opportunities but prefer known business models with recurring type revenue models. Will also look at Food Service opportunities in the North Fulton County (and surrounding areas) of Georgia.

$5,000 to $750,000

United States > Georgia

I am looking for any good income stream business to invest in from $3000 to $20000. I have an Executive MBA and am currently pursuing my career in Financial Advisory. I am looking to generate passive income as a silent partner or limited partner. I am interested in any level and kind of business to invest in.

$3,000 to $20,000

United States > Georgia

In short words, I live in Atlanta, GA. I'm a business man. I'm also an individual investor.

$50,000 to $500,000

United States > Georgia

I have over 30 years in the restaurant and hospitality industry, in several capacity and functions. I have managed established brands owned by Fortune 500 companies, as well as developed several concepts from scratch. I have had responsibility in specific functions such as : marketing, operations, training, development as well as general manager. I have managed and developed businesses in the USA, Latin America, Europe, South Africa and Asia. I currently own a hospitality consulting and an investment & business development company and we are looking for investment opportunities in the hospitality industry. Primary goal is to build a solid brand with great people and product.

$10,000 to $300,000