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 represent a Venture Capital firm in Southern CA. We have access to many avenues of capital and our strategies are flexible. We look for companies with great growth potential, consider every company's individual situation, and adjust our approach accordingly.

$500,000 to $15,000,000

United States > Michigan

My partner and I have long-term business liquidity partners and help companies with inventory financing, working capital financing, real estate acquisition, factoring, business acquisition, IP-backed funding, equipment financing, refinancing debt, and mergers. We work with middle market business owners, executives and their agents seeking debt solutions.

$200,000 to $100,000,000

United States > Michigan

Recently retired police officer, currently working as management in the private sector security. Interested in any possible investment but have my eye on anything in the cannabis industry.

$1 to $100,000

United States > Michigan

I am a married 71-year-old retired male. I have spent 45 years running my own business and have invested with partners in various other business. I have been involved in real-estate investments, automotive repair, boat dealership, restaurant and home and business rentals. I am looking for an investment with minor involvement to keep me engaged during my retirement.

$5,000 to $100,000

United States > Michigan

I am young individual investor with experience in the financial industry that is willing to put up to $20,000 into a business that shows a lot of potential. I am interested in the medicinal marijuana industry or in real estate, specifically vacation rental properties. I would also prefer to be a silent partner, but wound not be opposed to an advisory role.

$1,000 to $20,000

United States > Michigan

55 years old married man in the Detroit metro area. Currently have multiple successful businesses in the metro area. My current investments include restaurants & real estate.

$10,000 to $500,000

United States > Michigan

BSc (Computer Science) MBA Extensive experience as an entrepreneur. Have started companies from startup stage, to international franchising and publicly listed a US based franchise on the Frankfurt Exchange. Extensive experience in B2B and service based industries. Well versed with international business, different cultures and how to build businesses across borders. Dual citizen (Australian, United States). I am looking to be a part of a team to help run and build an established business that does not require "on-site" attendance. I am looking for something that I be involved in remotely. I am willing to travel internationally. So I am looking for active involvement and can also invest.

$20,000 to $100,000

United States > Michigan

I'm looking to invest in the Marijuana Business. I'm looking to invest in a operating or a newly formed company. I have owned bars my whole life and would love to get in on the Dispensary/Grow operations. I'm looking to be hands on ...I live 20 min north of Detroit area. If you need some working capital / investor partner let me know thanks, I have a clean record and good credit. Thanks for your time! BTW, I'm 49 single so I can work anytime!

$100 to $50,000