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

Self employed for the last 5 years. I'm a private individual with some disposable income I would like to reinvest in the community.

$1,000 to $20,000

United States > Georgia

I lead the B2B Commerce practice for one of the Big4 companies. I have my family business out of India, Dubai and the United States focusing on oil and gas, education, media and entertainment, commercial real estate and wellness. I actively help startups out of the United States with seed funding and also in an advisory role. I am currently available for roles on the advisory board (for equity) in the areas of eCommerce, payments and digital transformation.

$20,000 to $5,000,000

United States > Georgia

I'm an entrepreneur in the information technology space. I recently sold a company I helped build and will consider angel opportunities while I'm on sabbatical for the next year or two. I am an experienced senior manager and entrepreneur and will also be willing to provide non-financial support to an organization I invest in.

$5,000 to $100,000

United States > Georgia

Health Group Investor specializes in mature rehab services organizations seeking valuation exit, succession and acquisition help. Specifically, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Respiratory Therapy services in the southeast.

$1,000 to $20,000

United States > Georgia

16 Years of Experience in Entrepreneurship, Business Development, Sales, Operations, and Finance. 10 Years of investment experience in a diversified group of Private investments surrounding Technology, Real Estate, Distribution, Manufacturing, and BioTechnology. Currently: full-time development of the Southeast Region for a tech-startup. I am 38 years old and married living near Atlanta, GA, but have the means to travel to your location for the right investment. Extensive and diverse global network in Sales, Finance, Operations, and Funding. I represent multiple investment groups who are looking to diversify their portfolios with off-market non-traditional investments. Preferred involvement is advisory or silent. Preferred investments have a strong business plan, defined timelines, accountability to results, and an extraordinary commitment to success. I evaluate business proposals daily.

$40,000 to $250,000

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 been investing for approx. 5 years now and have a high success rate. I have started and sold three business and tremendous profit in the past 15 years. I am a private investor

$500,000 to $5,000,000

United States > Georgia

Practicing attorney, investment advisor, and angel investor seeking partnership opportunity with start-up or established business. Prefer to add value beyond capital such as counsel, sounding board, hands-on, etc. ... whatever needed to improve the companies success. Also willing to provide legal services as part of the relationship. My office is in Suwanee, GA and desire opportunities located in the Southeast. I am celebrating 30 years of marriage in 2021 and have 3 children.

$10,000 to $60,000