Florida 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.

Florida Investors

Florida > Seffner

Have some money, and want to make more. Can be involved, or silent partner. 15 years experience social service field. BS. Psychology, Certified Addiction Professional. Almost 40 , married.

$0 to $200,000

Florida > Port Charlotte

40 year old male; married; Southwest Florida. Currently an Executive Director in the Freight Transportation industry with an MBA from Purdue University. New to investing in start-ups &/or growth companies. I am flexible regarding my degree of involvement. Individual Investor.

$5,000 to $75,000

Florida > Hollywood

I represent a foreign based asset management/venture capital group who are actively seeking to expand their involvement in promising USA based companies. .

$250,000 to $2,000,000

Florida > Miami

Venture Investment firm from Venezuela that recently opened operations in Miami, FL. We invest in a wide range of business opportunities from transportation, international trade, and many others. We recently made the decision to start investing in start-ups. So we are looking to start our networks with entrepreneurs here in Miami and young start-ups. Our entrepreneurial experience helps us understand the many stages of a business and what it needs. Even if we look for returns, we strongly believe in creating wealth for all. Please contact us.

$10,000 to $5,000,000

Florida > Navarre

Looking for a promising business where I can invest and grow my money.

$1,000 to $15,000

Florida > Miami

Experienced entrepreneur and investor in multiple sectors. Successful working background in developing global brands, international expansion, franchising, product and brand licensing, celebrity agency, media + PR growth.

$75,000 to $25,000,000

Florida > Punta Gorda

I am a military Veteran living in SW FL who is a 40+ year old professional with an MBA, who has focused in manufacturing / logistics / supply chain over the past 20 years. I also hold a Lean Six Sigma Black belt and have been highly trained in multiple manufacturing and logistics principles. I have a technical background on top of my manufacturing / logistics / supply chain experience. I do expect to have a level of advisory involvement and reporting. However, I am not currently interested in being in the daily operations unless it was required due to the growth curve. I am not afraid to get my hands dirty.

$100 to $15,000

Florida > Miami

I am a new and up coming investor looking to do business with honest, dedicated and devoted people. My partner and I are located in the Miami area. We are interested in all kind of investment business especially new and developing real estate.

$5,000 to $100,000