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 was coached at a young age by my father, who owned several different companies. I learned the ins and outs of business growth and management and built a million-dollar company at age 22. Also had a successful career in corporate America. Would like to help entrepreneurs achieve similar results.

$50,000 to $1,000,000

United States > Michigan

I am retired and have some money saved. My husband (a medical doctor) is still working.

$5,000 to $25,000

United States > Michigan

I’m a sales and biz dev leader with 12 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, where I’ve worked with global OEMs and high-growth tech companies to bring new products to market and scale revenue. I've also spent 3 years in strategy consulting at McKinsey, helping clients solve growth, go-to-market, and operational challenges across tech and industrial sectors. I hold an MBA from the University of Chicago (Booth), and I’ve also spent time on the founder side - launching two companies, one of which was successfully acquired. Outside of operating roles, I’ve been an active real estate investor for more than seven years, focusing on long-term, cash-flowing assets. I grew up in Toronto and have since lived in Dallas, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Today, I’m based near Ann Arbor with my wife and our two young boys, ages 2 and 4. I enjoy connecting with entrepreneurs, supporting early-stage teams, and getting involved where I can add both strategic insight and hands-on help

$1,000 to $50,000

United States > Michigan

I have owned a successful small business. Currently running a department of salespeople for a large tech company.

$5,000 to $100,000

United States > Michigan

I have started and sold three businesses from nothing. All were auto related but it is business in general that I love . I consult for all types of businesses . I have a proven track record on starting and growing small businesses with strategic exits. I am very well connected and have numerous resources to pull from. Involvement can be all the above but at this point in my life , I would rather be silent with some advisory. I am an individual investor looking to invest into a business that is at that need for growth but I am not opposed to the right start up with the right ROI. I currently have a good share of funds invested or loaned at this time but do have a small amount for the right business and I will have a good amount of funds maturing towards the end of 2018. I am also interested in loaning funds to a legal medical marihuana business. A grower/caregiver or dispensary .

$50,000 to $500,000

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

United States > Michigan

RCR is a leading finance and investment firm providing a complete line of commercial financing options for every need from start-up to global conglomerates: - Commercial Real Estate Finance - Construction / Project Funding Finance - Account Receivable Finance - Purchase Order Finance - Inventory Finance - Commercial Equipment Lease Finance - Import/Export Commodity Trade Finance - Commodity Sales And Services - Specialized Finance

$10,000 to $100,000,000

United States > Michigan

I am a 32 years old real estate professional. I have an undergrad degree in economics and a masters in finance from Georgetown University. I worked in capital markets for Fannie Mae for 7 years and lead a team that hedges a mortgage pipeline of $1.5B. I live in Northville Michigan with my wife. I am an avid outdoorsman who also played hockey my entire life.

$1,000 to $30,000