Michigan 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.

Michigan Investors

United States > Michigan

I am an entrepreneur myself running a profitable IT business. I am also part of an investment group and can bring substantial investment, experience, energy, and advisory.

$100,000 to $1,000,000

United States > Michigan

Work in automotive industry. Looking to be an investor and partner.

$100,000 to $250,000

United States > Michigan

Physician located in the Michigan. Currently invested in multiple real estate projects, clinics and three restaurants.

$10,000 to $300,000

United States > Michigan

I am 52, married and live in Oxford, Mi. I am a business consultant and invest in small startup company’s. I am currently involved in an environmental service-based startup (hands-on & advisory role) based in Holland, Mi which will service the surrounding county’s. I can offer business advice, business set up and business financial needs. My experience and expertise is in service type related businesses. I recently sold my mobile maintenance company to a National Maintenance Provider. The company provides mobile maintenance and inspection services to the transportation industry. I started the company and grew it to nearly 50 service trucks and serviced multiple states. I am an Individual investor and available for a hands-on, advisory role. I am motivated, high-energy, easy to work with and eager to invest and assist in service-based startups.

$5,000 to $300,000

United States > Michigan

I am 52 years old residing in Novi, MI. I grew up in a family business environment and have been lucky enough to operate businesses from start-up to $50 million in annual revenue. I have experiencing buying and selling companies as well as starting two franchise operations. I have worked in multiple industries including Healthcare, Training and Education, Staffing and Consulting, Software Sales and Training, and Management Consulting. I have worked with clients that ranged from small business to Fortune 100. I currently work as an advisor helping business owners create and implement execution strategies and tools to grow their businesses to the next level. I have a BBA from Western Michigan University. I am interested in both hands-on and advisory roles and investments could be placed as an individual or investment group.

$10,000 to $250,000

United States > Michigan

Our firm has successfull invested in small to medium cap manufacturing firms since 1982 and an International Trading Company for 15 years. We now operate two Private Equity Funds with $500 AUM. We also have a new Fund with US OPIC backing supporting investment in Sub- Sahara Africa and are interested in products or services applicable to that region that is economically sustanable and provides social improvements to the local population.

$2,500,000 to $250,000,000

United States > Michigan

I'm interested primarily in the medical marijuana field. I would prefer to keep my investment within the state.

$1 to $30,000

United States > Michigan

I have a masters degree in teaching. I co-founded an educational company. I work overseas as an educator. I am for looking opportunities to partner on rental complexes in the Orlando Florida area.

$10,000 to $500,000