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 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

I can help you to grow your business, without giving up equity and long term profits. I represent a number of entities that provide funding to ongoing small to medium sized businesses. You will in essence, have a financial partner for a short period of time, without giving up control or equity growth in your company. I have working capital solutions for every business situation: Cash Advance, Asset Based Funding, Bridge Real Estate Loans, Equipment Leasing, Supply Chain Financing, Agricultural Loans. If I don't have the proper fit for you...I will find it. My fees are paid by my partners and I don't charge a application fee. Appraisal and/or title fees may apply if real estate is used as collateral.

$5,000 to $50,000,000

United States > Georgia

CEO of a small venture capital firm with sights set on expansion and investment growth through key partnerships and investments. 30 year risk management and commercial insurance broker with risk financing expertise.

$1,000 to $50,000

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

I am a financial professional working for a large financial institution. My current role at the firm includes investing and sitting on the boards of private corporations. Outside of my “day job” I have invested in several profitable businesses and continue to be a minority investor in these businesses providing board level support and business strategy oversight. Ideal opportunities would be growing business (500K + revenue) with an established business model. I will entertain some venture capital opportunities but prefer known business models with recurring type revenue models. Will also look at Food Service opportunities in the North Fulton County (and surrounding areas) of Georgia.

$5,000 to $750,000

United States > Georgia

30yr IT professional looking to invest in the hopes and dreams of new entrepreneurs.

$5,000 to $100,000

United States > Georgia

I am a private investor looking for the right opportunity for passive income outside of my current ventures. I have funded startups in the technology, entertainment, and telecom industries. I also have 10 years of executive experience in telecommunications industry.

$50,000 to $1,000,000

United States > Georgia

No Up Front Fees! Loans Must make sense. We will Finance thru Loans, JVs, Private Placements, and other Alternative Financing. We will consider ALL loan requests but need Complete Package for FAST Pre-Approval including: Executive Summary and Passport. Client Must also submit Bank Statement to show financial responsibility (client cannot ask for a $2 Million Dollar financing but have nothing in the Bank... Loans must make sense). Fast Pre-Approvals.

$2,000,000 to $5,000,000,000