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

38 year old female in the Title industry. I’m looking for investment opportunities to provide financial independence and security. I want to diversify my portfolio. I would like to be a silent partner or partner to learn more on investing.

$1,000 to $40,000

United States > Michigan

We are investors located in Michigan. We have developed more than 100MM in real estate and have the skillset and experience to find properties, evaluate, engineer, develop and build. We are looking to buy, partner or JV. We are also looking at existing businesses that need the capital or partner to invest for expansion or just looking to sell their company.

$100,000 to $250,000

United States > Michigan

Aviation professional with diverse background and great amount of free time from day job. Seeking good opportunities to begin diversifying my portfolio with. I also have a secluded field (Vacant Land) in the Midland MI region which I am willing to provide as an investment in agriculture or other.

$3,000 to $20,000

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

I'm a 27 year old, single man living currently in Detroit, MI. I am a mechanical engineer with a master's degree and also an MBA in finance and data analytics. I have 5 years experience in B2B operations and logistics. I previously co-founded a startup outside the US that ran successfully before I sold it, specializing in manufacturing of packaging and distribution for food and beverage products. I'm looking for a hands-on investment opportunity to take part in the day-to-day operations and scaling of an existing business with growth potential. I'm currently an individual investor but with connections to deep-pocketed investor groups. Investments made do not have to be long-term, they can be joint ventures for a specified number of years as well.

$25,000 to $100,000

United States > Michigan

My name is Justin D, I am married with two beautiful daughters. I moved back to my home state of Michigan after retiring from the United States Marine Corps. I went back to school and recieved two associates degrees and currently pursuing a bachelors degree in accounting. I am looking to diversify my portfolio and hopefully help the right start-up get off the ground. Looking for investment opportunities in the area and considering partnerships with companies that would be a good fit for my capital and time.

$0 to $500,000

United States > Michigan

38 year old married father of two in Michigan. I have an MBA with a specialization in analytical efficiency, am an executive in the financial services industry for 16 years and own a Real Estate Investment LLC as well. I would prefer to hold am advisory or silent partner position but can be hands on as needed.

$10,000 to $200,000

United States > Michigan

I have over 25 years of experience in investment banking, mergers and acquisitions, capital formation, venture capital and emerging company development. I began my investment- banking career in New York with the firm of Hornblower and Weeks. In 1974, I moved to Bache Stuart Halsey Inc. as vice-president of mergers and acquisitions. In 1979, I joined Asset Management Investments, a private venture capital firm, with $22 million under management. Since 1985, I have been involved with start-up companies, developing coherent and innovative financing strategies. He is an author and a frequent speaker for entrepreneurship forums and venture capital seminars. His experience as an entrepreneur/business owner, investment banker, and venture capitalist provides a unique and comprehensive perspective for VIP’s Portfolio investments and Investing Partners.

$500,000 to $5,000,000