New York 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.

Local Investors

United States > New York

I am looking for a low risk, but high investment. i am someone who could help I have 30 years in food service. We both have to be on the same page.

$50 to $500,000

United States > New York

We ask you to outline a few details about yourself, in order for us to approve your membership. These details will also be sent to any entrepreneurs that you wish to contact so that they know who you are. This helps facilitate contacts between investors and entrepreneurs by creating trust. This information will be shared with no other sources. Please outline (in 1000 characters or less) details such as:

$250,000 to $5,000,000

United States > New York

I am live in NYC and married with a few kids. I work as a financial advisor and financial planner. We have a lot of investing in good companies through the stock market and through private investments. I have a very good understanding of cash flow and balance sheets. I am a private investor. We own real estate and we understand that very well. If I have value to add I would be an advisor and sometimes I prefer to be a silent investor.

$1,000 to $100,000

United States > New York

I am a 26 year old single male living in New York. I work at a hedge fund and have been working in the investment management space for the past 4yrs. I have experience researching and investing in businesses across a wide range of industries and geographies. I studied finance at a leading university (top25) and have successfully completed the chartered financial analyst (CFA) program. I do not want to be involved in running of the business, but would like to be included on big decisions and get operational updates. I am individual investor looking to supplement my income and diversify my personal assets.

$0 to $100,000

United States > Nevada

Very motivated and want to be directly involved .

$100,000 to $1,000,000

United States > Virginia

I have been in the financial industry for over 32 years. Assisted with Commercial, Business, and Residential deals throughout the USA! Look forward to getting the funding you need for your business or project!!

$10,000,000 to $1,000,000,000

United States > California

I have over 30 years of experience in commercial finance. Since 1997 I have built my current company into a successful firm consulting with companies on private placement financing as well as developing an active reservoir of wealthy investors to draw from for worthwhile projects. We offer Private Placement consultation and development as well as an aggressive team of seasoned in-house professional telemarketers for entrepreneurs needing funding assistance. We will deal with startups, existing companies, intellectual properties, and more. Kindly send an email with an executive summary for a free consultation. We also have extensive experience preparing business plans that are highly effective for raising investment capital. With the recent amendment to the Regulation D 506, now known as the 506c, we can market extensively using radio, TV, emailing, telemarketing, etc.. to reach wealthy Accredited Investors. You now most likely need a 506c

$100,000 to $15,000,000

United States > Illinois

Several years in the Real Estate business as a investor and land lord I deal with a lot of Section 8 tenants, Ive done new constructions, buy & hold and flips. I know a good deal when I see it. Its all about the numbers and exit strategy!!

$100,000 to $1,000,000