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

Male. 64 years of age. Single. Dad of (3) girls. Entrepreneur of 50 years. CEO of 30 years. Construction. Real estate.

$100,000 to $1,000,000

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

I'm a Disabled/Retired Builder of 25 years in New Construction in Residential and Multi Use. Commercial Build outs. Like to team up with a young go-getter that needs a mentor..I've done over 2 Billion in Construction Projects

$0 to $100,000

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

looking for real deals that make sense for me and my investors. deals that can make money on great returns.

$1,000,000 to $8,000,000,000

United States > Georgia

Experienced financial professional with a CMA, and MBA, holding certifications in GDPR, looking for a stable business opportunity to invest in.

$5,000 to $20,000

United States > Georgia

I'm an active to passive investor looking for businesses that are are in a change and improve cycle either during growth, or preparing for growth. I've started and ran multiple businesses. I'm a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (process efficiency and design) with a Bachelors in Entrepreneurship and professional certificates in a number of industries including finance, real estate, insurance, automation, etc. and experience in many industries and am also fluent in Spanish. My ideal investment is a company that is seeking an investor/board member that brings more than capital to bear in helping bring a business across the next milestone.

$1,000 to $150,000

United States > Georgia

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

$1 to $50,000