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 51 years old and have invested in small companies starting at $600,000 in valuation and turning them into companies worth $17 million. I have owned insurance companies which also have grown from small entities to groups just under $20 million. I've sat on board of directors to small businesses helping them with behind the scenes help on the business side and the insurance side along with marketing. I am willing not only to help with dollars, but a willingness to help your business on the front lines!

$10,000 to $100,000

United States > Michigan

33 Year old married professional who works in the finance and business planning field. I hold a MBA and have made small (under $50k) investments with success. I prefer to be a completely silent partner and invest with a group.

$1,000 to $50,000

United States > Michigan

I am a 46 year old married man and I reside in Michigan. I have been in the finance business for 22 years and have funded everything from someone buying a Island to small inventions. I have many contacts all over the world and if my group does not have the taste for a project then I most likely can get it done with my contacts. I have a full staff that assists me and we will not waste your time. If we like your deal we will move forward.

$500,000 to $65,000,000

United States > Michigan

I'm a college educated insurance professional looking for alternative investment opportunities to the stock market. I'd like my involvement to be strictly silent. I work with a lot of business owners so I have firm grasp on start up costs, ROI, etc.

$10,000 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

I am 52, married and live in Oxford, Mi. I am a business consultant and invest in small startup company’s. I am currently involved in an environmental service-based startup (hands-on & advisory role) based in Holland, Mi which will service the surrounding county’s. I can offer business advice, business set up and business financial needs. My experience and expertise is in service type related businesses. I recently sold my mobile maintenance company to a National Maintenance Provider. The company provides mobile maintenance and inspection services to the transportation industry. I started the company and grew it to nearly 50 service trucks and serviced multiple states. I am an Individual investor and available for a hands-on, advisory role. I am motivated, high-energy, easy to work with and eager to invest and assist in service-based startups.

$5,000 to $300,000

United States > Michigan

I'm a 39 year old single male. Looking to grow my net worth by various income producing or asset appreciating vehicles. I am an experienced accountant by trade. I hold a Master's Degree in Accounting and also a CPA. I am new to this type of investing. Each opportunity is unique. I am open to hands on or being a silent investor. I am an individual investor.

$50,000 to $150,000

United States > Michigan

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

$100,000 to $250,000