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'm an individual investor that enjoys working in various industries. In addition to my investment in your firm, I'm willing to act as a passive investor, an advisor, or take on part-time operational roles as necessary. I can help refine your plans and build your business. Education: BA-Johns Hopkins (Economics). MBA - Northwestern University (Kellogg) - (Marketing & Finance). Experience: Product management for NYSE-listed electronics company. Marketing management & business development for international food ingredients company. Founded and sold small advertising media technology company. Founded, operated (for 25 years) and sold nationally-recognized niche consulting firm within commercial real estate industry. Currently own 2 retail stores (Bricks-Mortar and on-line), one set of international brands, various real estate investments. Geographically flexible, but investments in Atlanta area and Florida are preferred.

$5,000 to $200,000

United States > Georgia

Career as an Individual investor, investment group member and licensed broker. 30 years in commercial real estate investments and sales. Involved in Equity and Debt structures, Joint Ventures, and Investment Groups. Can provide Strategies, Capital, and Resources. Experience with deals of many types and in many industries.

$50,000 to $100,000,000

United States > Georgia

I have had many years of doing business experience in China and am good at growing business in more profits. I am an accountant with an MBA degree in GA. I can speak, read, and write fluent in English and Chinese.

$1,000 to $100,000

United States > Georgia

I am the president of a mortgage investment firm. We deal with private money and hard money lending. We work within a network of capitalized investors. Our network has 1.5 billion available funds. We fund deals from $50k to $100 millions.

$50,000 to $1,000,000,000

United States > Georgia

Entrepreneur with a diverse business background that includes building successful teams, designing business processes, and driving profitability by increasing top line revenue and reducing expenses. Looking to invest in some ventures to be mostly silent but willing to provide assistance and guidance as requested. Would be open to serving on the board of directors for the Company.

$100 to $200,000

United States > Georgia

I am 53 years old and my investment partner is 56 years old. Both of us are married and I am located in Atlanta, Ga. My partner lives near Jacksonville, Fl. and comes to Atlanta on business once every 5 weeks. I have a masters degree and my partner graduated from Georgia Tech and currently runs a real estate company that buys and sells houses, issues hard money loans while I have invested in Stocks and Internet companies. Between us we bring over 40 years experience in growing small businesses into muli Million Dollar revenue companies. We are willing to act as an advisor or silent equity partner. If we are involved and the business grows we can obtain additional capital so that growth will not be slowed due to lack of funds. Once we invest, we'll be a phone call away if there's a situation you need to talk through.

$30,000 to $500,000

United States > Georgia

Younger, married father. Currently work in the Healthcare field (specifically the Laboratory). Looking to invest in an innovative business, as well as play a more hands-on role in early, developing, ideas.

$1,000 to $50,000

United States > Georgia

I work for a Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae direct lender in Atlanta. I am looking to help investors with financing options on multifamily real estate throughout the county.

$1,000,000 to $25,000,000