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"Perfect! After 20 days I have already had 13 offers from interested investors. Our engine is starting to get the recognition it deserves. We have already had initial meetings and it's looking good. Thanks for this platform!"
Gunter Schulte, SwingEngine AG


Business Plan Tips

What Investors Are Looking For In A Plan

Investors - whether angels or VCs - 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 you explain in your plan that of your team members knows has expertise in this area. 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 read a lot of 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 use a 15 slide Power Point 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 worded differently, can get really tiring. If you try and be as precise and to the point as possible, people are more likely to want to read it.

Write In Plain English

If you can't explain your idea in clear and simple 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, try and 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.

Don't give more away than you want to

Be aware of who is reading your information, and never give away more information than you feel comfortable with. Do due diligence on anyone who you are dealing with. If you do need to reveal sensitive information, ask for a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to be signed.


Latest Investors

United States > Ohio

$500 to $23,000

January 31, 2012

I'm 29 years of age and live 25 minutes outside of Columbus, Ohio. My resume/portfolio is growing. I'm currently conducting research and development for a consultation firm and looking to start investing myself.

United States > Illinois

$10,000 to $500,000

January 25, 2012

I am a highly motivated investor who brings a lot to the table. I have worked for the Chairman of one of the largest corporations in the world for the last 10 years. I have many connections that span a wide range of fields including news media, finance, manufacturing, packaging, etc. I can be a hands-on or off investor and am able to see the value in an idea. I graduated with a Bachelor's in Management, Marketing and Finance from Loyola University in 2001. In business I believe that there is always an angle to create success and I am a master at finding those angles. The two biggest mistakes an entrepreneur can make are assuming anything and not planning for every possible problem. It is not possible to plan for every problem but I am very good a catching potential problems before they arise. I do this by never assuming anything and creating very elegant strategies to minimize risk. I know what it takes to be successful and seek to invest in people who do as well.

United States > Ohio

$5,000 to $100,000

January 22, 2012

Small businessman with 30 years experience in packaging business looking for investment opportunities in small business.

United States > Indiana

$10,000 to $50,000

January 22, 2012

40 year old married with 3 children. A business professional with 20 years of experience in all facets of business, specifically in the manufacturing industry. Have a B.S. in Accounting with a substantial finance background. Significant experience in business process improvements, marketing, sales, inventory management, strategic decision-making. Would consider a management/consulting role in addition to capital investment.

United States > Minnesota

$10,000 to $250,000

January 21, 2012

Individual Investor with significant experience in Commercial Real Estate and private and public small business investing. Can be hands-on or silent investor. Certified Commercial Investment Member and MBA with interest in existing small businesses ready to grow to next level. Family lives in southern MN.

United States > Minnesota

$5,000 to $250,000

January 21, 2012

Individual investor with significant experience in commercial real estate and securities. MBA with some experience investing in small private businesses. Licensed real estate broker and Certified Commercial Investment Member. Able to be hands on or silent investor depending on the opportunity. Married with children in southern MN.

United States > California

$10,000 to $20,000

January 18, 2012

I'm located in CA, and looking to invest some capital to a company either looking to expand or is staring up with an outlook for much potential. I am an individual investor and will act as a silent partner.

Mongolia > Ulaanbaatar

$500,000 to $1,000,000

January 15, 2012

I am looking for investors on beekeeping

United States > Michigan

$10,000,000 to $500,000,000

January 11, 2012

I am a professional with considerable experience in the areas of Enterprise Software and Capitial Equipment. I work with a very well respected and privately held investment banking firm that has contractual and personal relationships with over 30 billion in privately held capital. Discretion and confidentiality are paramount in our approach.

United States > Missouri

$20,000 to $150,000

January 9, 2012

I'm a young, married physician looking to invest wisely in a company, or a website based business with good growth potential. I would like to have an advisory or silent role provided that management is sound and goals are to expand the business.

United States > Wisconsin

$500 to $20,000

January 9, 2012

I am a professional who has over ten years experience in OEM sales serving the mining industry. I have lived and worked in three different countries outside of the US, mostly in South America. I have always been told I have an entrepreneurial spirit and I am looking for an investment opportunity in products or services that make our world better. I am an individual investor and believe I would have a lot of insight to offer in an advisory role but will respect the desire of the entrepreneur for the right investment.

United States > Ohio

$10,000 to $100,000

December 24, 2011

I am 50 years old, married, and living in Ohio. I have 32 years of experience in the Telecommunications and IT industry starting with my training in the US Navy. I have 3 degrees; BA Business Management; BA Leadership; Master of Business Administration. I have over 25 years of business experience and for the right investment opportunity I am not only willing to invest funds but also advice when needed. I am an individual investor who is looking to make shrewd and calculated investments in opportunities that are being led by a properly prepared leadership team with a creative business mindset.

United States > Minnesota

$25,000 to $200,000

December 15, 2011

I am an investor looking to make investments in solid companies and ideas as a silent partner but offering access to contacts in my network of relationships.

United States > Michigan

$5,000 to $100,000

December 7, 2011

Proffessional investor that believes no idea can be scaled without resources so that a great idea does not die because a builder of ideas gives up due to lack of capital. Located in Michigan I am an individual investor that seeks growth companies. I have financed 5 start-ups and have had high involvement to no involvement in each endeavor. My experience in scaling companies is deep and understand failure points in new business's

United States > Idaho

$500 to $10,000

December 2, 2011

Business loving investor, willing to invest in any type of business as long as it's solid a has great potential.

United States > Kansas

$0 to $1,000,000

December 1, 2011

Looking to partner with start-ups from Kansas and Missouri

United States > South Dakota

$25,000 to $400,000

November 29, 2011

Experienced business owner with desire to be advisory investor.

United States > North Dakota

$0 to $100,000

November 28, 2011

45 yo married professional with experience in private investing. DDS,MS in solo private practice for 15 years. BS in Microbiology, DDS and MS in Immunology. Have been involved in private investing in banking sector and service industry sector as well as running my specialty dental practice. Individual investor interested in equity involvement (silent or advisory capacity). Interested in a good idea in the hands of someone with a spirited entrepreneurial style.

United States > Indiana

$5,000 to $20,000

November 27, 2011

Physician, who has several non-medical business running in storage, car wash and real-estate, looking to diversify further.

United States > Washington

$5,000 to $30,000

November 23, 2011

I'm a business owner in Washington State that likes to invest in companies with a solid business plan that have a motivated management team with an eagerness to succeed. I have invested in a variety of companies that include media, publishing, entertainment, and electronic service businesses. I'm only interested in investing as a silent partner and prefer to negotiate an ownership percentage in the companies I invest in. I like companies that have unique products or services and have monthly cash flow potential through subscriptions or service accounts/contracts.



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