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

Mortgage industry professional. Bachelors from MSU. Advisory/silent. Individual Investor.

$1,000 to $50,000

United States > Michigan

I am married with three kids and I am 30 years old. I have owned and operated 2 companies for the past 10 years employing 5-10 people. My first company is a service provider for pharmaceutical clean room air quality testing and certification. My other company is a pharmaceutical supply company selling specific compounding equipment and small products used within pharmacy clean rooms. I carry the two accreditation’s required for certification work in the compounding pharmaceutical industry. I am a graduate of central Michigan university with a bachelors degree in entrepreneurial studies and minor in sales. I am an individual investor. I have small investment experience as a silent partner with investment under 5K. I recently sold part of my certification company and have liquid capital. I prefer to be hands on if possible. I believe anyone should know and understand the processes of a specific business venture. Thank you

$1,000 to $100,000

United States > Michigan

Let’s take your idea to the next level! I make non-control investments in high-growth companies/concepts/projects. I work with companies that have reached an inflection point in their lifecycle, where an infusion of capital and the right partner can make a meaningful difference in helping them achieve their growth plans. I understand the unique challenges entrepreneurs face in scaling their businesses and have an appreciation for nimble and innovative founders that blaze their own trail. I have developed a track record in partnering with driven entrepreneurs to provide the capital, relationships, business development support, best practices, and strategic advice that a large multi-billion institution can provide. I am seeking to build substantial relationships with management teams over time, placing high value in proper fit rather than rushing into a deal. I am flexible in how we structure our capital and mindful of what makes the most sense for the business.

$1 to $100,000

United States > Michigan

Metro Detroit investor looking to grow portfolio with successful entrepreneurs. Business owner in food and beverage industry and operations experience. Willing to consider both silent or advisory roles.

$1 to $100,000

United States > Michigan

I am 52, married (24 years), 2 sons 22/17 yo, live in Southeast MI area. Director of Business Development for a regulatory compliance consulting company for the pharmaceutical medical device and biologics industry. 25+ years of successful business ownership operations sales marketing and business development. 2 advanced degrees in life sciences. Can be hands on or silent partner/investor depending on situation. Individual investor with others interested. Specifically interested in the medical marijuana industries i.e. grows, processors, dispensaries must have current license with a municipality and have application in process for State of Michigan. Must be working with an attorney with MMJ experience. Must have a location secured. Documented MMJ experience required i.e. caregiver, dispensary owner or other MMJ experience.

$25,000 to $200,000

United States > Michigan

50 year old real estate investor and REALTOR in Washtenaw County, Michigan currently owning 30+ single family investment (rental, flip and land contract) properties. 25+ years experience in real estate investing including 100+ properties owned over the years and 1,000+ sales as a REALTOR. Engineering Degree from the University of Michigan. Looking to expand my investments past real estate into the services industries. Prefer to have advisory or silent involvement, but could be hands-on if necessary.

$1,000 to $500,000

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 looking for active and passive investments, as well as opportunities for hands-on involvement in a business. Having served in various capacities in the healthcare industry for years, including most recently as an executive, I have a broad range of experience. I have my JD and MBA, and am admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan. I am quite open to the subject matter of the business to be involved with, but will look for something that I find attractive, holds sensible promise, and has honest, hardworking, and bright people involved.

$10,000 to $4,000,000