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

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

We work with a broad range of real estate assets and debt instruments. Commercial property and notes secured by Office, Retail, Multi-Family, Mixed- Use, Industrial and Special Purpose are the main areas of focus.

$250,000 to $50,000,000

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

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

My firm is a consulting company that raises debt capital for all facets of the hemp & cannabis industry, including grow/cultivation, processing, testing, retail, and secured transportation. Since bank loans are not readily available for the hemp and cannabis industry, we primarily work with a network of private sources ranging from wealthy investors, family offices, private lenders, and hard money lenders.

$500,000 to $25,000,000

United States > Michigan

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

$100,000 to $250,000

United States > Michigan

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

$1,000 to $50,000

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