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

About 30 years experience in IT, Financial sectors; worked with startups. Looking forward to invest in your dreams and see them come true!

$5,000 to $20,000

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'm a private investor

$2,000 to $10,000,000

United States > Georgia

We are a privately-owned Washington-based global consulting firm. We are an industry expert assisting in the process of structuring financing for both equity and debt capital for small and middle-market companies. We possess extensive knowledge on a wide variety of issues and have the ability to offer our clients restructuring, recapitalization and reorganization, as well as providing strategic partnering, business development, consulting services, and capital solutions. We develop creative strategies to provide for our diverse group of clients with financing solutions for specific investment opportunities.

$100,000 to $10,000,000

United States > Georgia

Sales and client engagement executive. Degree in Business Management. Individual investor.

$1 to $50,000

United States > Georgia

Looking to invest in a forward thinking venture, with huge potential. Please have your numbers to show: Sales, Profits, Projections etc

$10,000 to $50,000

United States > Georgia

Private investor that grew up in the Atlanta area graduating from both UGA and UVA (finance and accounting). I am currently an owner in an accounting firm assisting fast growing companies with their processes and procedures oftentimes in preparation for an IPO. Consult with owners as to the appropriate accounting/finance structure and review business models that will make their company successful. In addition, I work with many small businesses to assist through growth pains which I have seen in the ten employee level as infrastructure is often needed and the business owner doesn't know how to scale. Looking for an investment where I can actively provide guidance if needed or working capital to support the current business plan. Expertise in service, technology and distribution industries. I would act as a passive investor but strengths would relate primarily to CFO type guidance.

$100,000 to $500,000

United States > Georgia

Hey guys! I'm in the Real Estate industry for 6 years now, married with 2 kids. We recently moved from PA. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, minoring in Entrepreneurship, graduated in 2014. In my student years, I was running multiple Airbnb properties for profit, I was also making and selling handmade skincare products, all while studying. After graduation, I decided to try myself in Real Estate and became licenced (now in two states: PA & GA), currently working in a large corporation. This year I'm craving for a change and would like to be in a small business! Unlike my previous experience, this time I don't wish to manage/operate it all on my own, but become an investor (not a silent one though). I'd like to still be involved in the process, but not as an equal partner, rather 30-40% of self-dedication. I'm looking for self-realization, yet being free when needed. I hope to find a great opportunity among the entrepreneurs here!

$1,000 to $50,000