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 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

Single male, located in Michigan. Currently work as a Firefighter and have experience in public service, transportation management, property management, and am a self taught home renovator. Hoping to collaborate on new business venture - open to explore many industries. Looking to serve day to day or as needed - silent partner is optional. Would prefer to be hands-on and have a mentor or someone willing to teach the ropes of the business.

$5,000 to $100,000

United States > Michigan

30 Years in manufacturing, 28 in automotive, with extensive experience in Product Development, New Product Launch, Manufacturing Operations Management Quality and Supply Chain Management as well as being a manufacturing turn-around specialist is looking for an owner that is looking to retire and needs someone to takeover or partner with to run the day to day operations.

$0 to $100,000

United States > Michigan

Middled aged married with family. Self made, multiple successful small businesses launched with zero experience, looking for a secondary business opportunity not looking to be a silent partner.

$5,000 to $50,000

United States > Michigan

I am working with partners providing funding, debt and equity, for businesses in need of capital. ($0-2.5 Mil) Specifically, I am looking for growth and transition opportunities. I am a Michigan native and have spent the last seven years doing numerous deals (20+ deals, over $50 Million invested or lent) working with companies to create the optimal capital structures. These deals have been across multiple industries and geographies, mostly in Michigan and the Midwest. Repeatedly, deals struggle to get done due to lack of collateral or equity. I am looking for opportunities to help managers have the ability to acquire their businesses and sellers be able to keep their companies local, after the sale. I have an extensive network of lenders, operators, and advisors to help in various situations.

$0 to $2,500,000

United States > Michigan

Looking for high yield investment opportunities.

$1,000 to $200,000

United States > Michigan

40 years old, currently VP of Sale at healthcare company. Responsibilities include multi-year growth strategy development and execution. Skilled in go-to-market strategy, company focus and goal setting, process improvement and sales strategy. Bachelors Degree. Experience investor. I have developed several playbooks including growth strategy, go-to-market, sales process and marketing staffing. Interest and advisory experience in Cannabis with several connections. Open to both silent but would prefer advisory and potentially hands on. Individual investor.

$500 to $50,000

United States > Michigan

We are Two Married CPA's.

$1 to $200,000