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 born in Idaho, but raised in Montana on a cattle ranch. While I was in college, the family ranch was sold and I moved toward a career in business. After business graduate school, I worked 10 years in Corporate America for a Fortune 500 Company involved in acquisitions and supervision of companies once acquired. Working closely with the owners of the acquired companies that had built their businesses from start-up sparked the desire to start my own company. For the next 25 years three businesses were started, developed and sold to larger companies or investment groups. The last few years have been spent in using financial contacts, assets available and the experience gained to help fund or invest in other promising companies, operations or projects. EDUCATION Washington University - St. Louis, Missouri - MBA degree BYU - Provo, Utah - Degree in Accounting

$1,000,000 to $99,000,000

United States > Michigan

Former CFO of Real Estate Development company, entered into Private Equity and VC 3 years ago. Searching for high upside potential investments with room for growth.

$25,000 to $500,000

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

Healthcare executive in Grand Rapids. Partner in multiple different companies. Looking to expand my investment portfolio. Most interested in a silent or advisory role.

$0 to $100,000

United States > Michigan

I moved here to Michigan about 6 years ago. I went to school for engineering at Oakland University. I have a bachelors and masters in engineering. I worked at Stellantis for 5 years. I now work in a finance role for an aluminum extrusion supplier. I've been active in the real estate market since moving here. I own long and short term rental properties in metro-Detroit. I own a company that offers short term rental property management as well as home remodeling services. I am a licensed realtor. I have many made many contacts throughout the real estate field. I'm open to a hands-on or silent role. It will depend on project, the available roles, and what value I can bring to the table. I'm available as an individual or as a small group of 3. I have two other business partners that are involved with my short term rental properties. They bring a great deal of experience.

$1,000 to $300,000

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

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

$5,000 to $25,000

United States > Michigan

55 years old married man in the Detroit metro area. Currently have multiple successful businesses in the metro area. My current investments include restaurants & real estate.

$10,000 to $500,000