Ohio 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.

Ohio Investors

United States > Ohio

We are a television and film financing vehicle for full length feature films. We also invest in ancillary products and companies that produce those products. I prefer television and film related investments. Companies that have assets are of interest, as well as pink sheet - OTC BB companies with stock. Advertising, Apparel, Arts, Entertainment, Finance, Investing, Media, Venture Capital

$500,000 to $10,000,000

United States > Ohio

23 year old, with a degree in construction management. I work as an international facilities engineer, where I justify, plan, and execute construction projects locally and around the world, evaluate building structures, budget capital expenditures, calculate return on investments, manage project timelines etc. Looking to invest while I am young. Open to any investment opportunities / ideas.

$1,000 to $20,000

United States > Ohio

Entrepreneur that specializes in Real Estate, mostly Self Storage. Looking to venture into other types of businesses. Would love to discuss more to see if goals, personalities and tasks would work well together.

$1,000 to $50,000

United States > Ohio

I'm a serial entrepreneur that has built and sold 2 companies. I'm looking to put some of my capital to work.

$100,000 to $5,000,000

United States > Ohio

Handw on or silent partner, experience in property management, owner operator of vacation rentals, RN. Looking to invest in the right fit and opportunity.

$5,000 to $200,000

United States > Ohio

Experienced business leader, owner, and board director with 20+ yrs helping companies execute their strategy more effectively Direct Leadership Experience in Sales, Marketing, New product development & commercialization, Manufacturing/production operations and International business leadership.

$10,000 to $500,000

United States > Ohio

I reside in NW Ohio. I have been an active entrepreneur for the last 15 years. I current own/invest in businesses within construction/real estate and the financial categories but I am always looking for exciting new opportunities. I received a masters in degree and have a deep passion for making positive experiences within this world. I am looking to invest in people that have an idea/product/service that can help shape the world around them in a positive way. I will always be a source of information and help for my investments and I am open to any role they would like me to play.

$1,000 to $100,000

United States > Ohio

I work with an investment firm, where we have a fund focused on supporting operating businesses in Ohio counties with less than 200,000 residents. Our non-bank capital can be used as gap financing to support working capital, equipment purchases, or acquisition financing. We focus on existing cash flows to ensure the business can support our investment, which is primarily debt investments, either senior or subordinated debt. Our investment size is customarily between $500k - $5MM. We also have a Pennsylvania fund focused on rural opportunities, as well as a national fund for larger opportunities.

$500,000 to $5,000,000