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 moved here to Michigan about 6 years ago. I went to school for engineering at Oakland University. I have a bachelors and masters in engineering. I worked at Stellantis for 5 years. I now work in a finance role for an aluminum extrusion supplier. I've been active in the real estate market since moving here. I own long and short term rental properties in metro-Detroit. I own a company that offers short term rental property management as well as home remodeling services. I am a licensed realtor. I have many made many contacts throughout the real estate field. I'm open to a hands-on or silent role. It will depend on project, the available roles, and what value I can bring to the table. I'm available as an individual or as a small group of 3. I have two other business partners that are involved with my short term rental properties. They bring a great deal of experience.

$1,000 to $300,000

United States > Michigan

I'm a individual investor and young professional in the automotive industry looking to invest in opportunities within the state of Michigan. My educational background includes an undergrad degree in electrical engineering and a MBA from Lawrence Technological University. In regards to involvement in any opportunities, the most I would ask for is advisory but in most cases I would be silent.

$1,000 to $50,000

United States > Michigan

Looking for high yield investment opportunities.

$1,000 to $200,000

United States > Michigan

My husband and I are in our mid 30s we are looking for an investment so he can run the company/business. I work for GM so I am secure in my role but want to have a business investment of our own.

$0 to $500,000

United States > Michigan

I’m a retired Marine Corps officer currently in the airline industry looking to develop an investment portfolio as a silent partner and perhaps as an advisor.

$1 to $100,000

United States > Michigan

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

$100,000 to $250,000

United States > Michigan

I'm a well rounded young teacher who has capital available for investments. I would be a perfect silent partner or someone who can quickly learn whatever. Also, I have a lot of free time in the summer. I would be a wonderful partner to work with.

$1,000 to $35,000

United States > Michigan

My partner and I seek to invest equity into established businesses. We invest our own capital. We seek to deploy Growth Equity Capital into well managed companies that need capital for growth or perpetuation purposes. We do seek to have majority control. We do not look to run our companies on a day to day basis because we seek to leverage existing management teams and help them grow. Our goal is to provide advisory support and to make major decisions (acquisitions, sale of company, etc). My background includes spending 30+ years in Commercial and Investment Banking. I have advised many families and many companies to help maximize their business opportunities.

$1,000,000 to $10,000,000