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

I would like to help your business reach the next level. Aside from investing, I bring years of experience as a top-performing US Department of Homeland security manager. I also have a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia with a double major in economics and foreign affairs. Above all, I bring unmatched passion and commitment. I would be either a hands-on or advisory investor.

$10,000 to $100,000

United States > Ohio

I am a married man with one son and I have been in the mortgage industry for over 20 years. I do have a college degree and up to 100K to invest if the right opportunity for me. Depending on the type of investment and/location, I can be either hands-on, advisory and/or silent, but prefer to be silent. My status is as an individual investor. Although my expertise is mortgage loans and real estate, I am open to different ventures if they make sense and the return is worth it.

$5,000 to $100,000

United States > Ohio

A seasoned investor, having bought and sold more than 20 companies over the last 25 years. Willing to be involved or silent investor.

$10,000 to $500,000

United States > Ohio

My objective is to use my liquid funds to invest in a company that needs the help and grow with it.

$0 to $15,000

United States > Ohio

I am a 38yr old female residing in Columbus,OH. I have a masters degree in business and marketing with over 10 yrs of experience in the financial industry. I have small personal investments and would like to increase capital wealth by investing with others. I am an independent investor and can provide advisory and silent partnership.

$5,000 to $50,000

United States > Ohio

Single. In my 30s. relocating to NYC by June 2023. Prospective law school applicant. Undergraduate in legal studies and marketing. Interested in corporate law. Diligent hard worker. Excellent analytical skills. Inherited wealth.

$100,000 to $250,000

United States > Ohio

* 31-year-old male currently residing in Columbus, OH * Individual investor looking to invest in both start-ups and small businesses seeking growth capital (open to most industries) * Willing to leverage 10-years of Business Development / Corporate Strategy / M&A experience to entrepreneur via advisory-level involvement (open to silent involvement as well) * M.B.A Graduate of The Ohio State Fisher College of Business with concentrations in Finance and Strategy

$10,000 to $250,000

United States > Ohio

CEO of a holding company of eCommerce Brands

$1,000 to $100,000