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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

Norway > Oslo

$10,000 to $100,000

July 30, 2010

Married, large professional experience, good education, small investment experience, silent involvement, individual investor

Trinidad and Tobago > Chaguanas

$0 to $10,000

July 13, 2010

I have a BA English and Communication and now work as a university lecturer and secondary school teacher. I am interested in investment opportunities in the Agriculture, Education, Food & Beverage, Retail and Transportation sectors.

Bahamas > South Andros

$10,000 to $50,000

July 10, 2010

Entrepreneur residing in Nassau, Bahamas. Operate a Computer Store and currently looking for new investments opportunities. I also have an interest in the marine transportation industry

Canada > Mississauga

$50,000 to $100,000

June 15, 2010

I am a 41 yr old married mother of 4 living in Canada. Currently I work as a Logistics Analyst in the SCM field and have had over 15 yrs experience working in business management in a customer focused environment. I have a strong creative background as my initial training was in Fashion Design. I have continued to dabble in this field and also in Interior Decorating. I also hold a diploma in Event Planning. I am an individual investor looking to tap into the Caribbean market.

Trinidad and Tobago > Port of Spain

$10,000 to $500,000

June 13, 2010

We are looking for potential investments throughout the Caribbean. Our primary sectors of interest are ICT, Food & Beverage, Entertainment, Real Estate, Retail, Agriculture and Outsourcing. The primary investors in our vehicle are the principals. We are looking to invest between $10,000 to $500,000 depending on the type of project, the company leads, risk etc. When analyzing potential investments we look for entrepreneurs with a passion for their revenue generating ideas that have developed detailed plans based on research for going to market. We aim to bring not only financial value but also management and marketing expertise through an advisory role.

United Kingdom > Birmingham

$1 to $5,000

June 8, 2010

I am a single male, aged 28 from Birmingham, UK. I’m currently looking to help fund small start-up businesses or invest in small ventures. Ideally it would be in a hands on/advisory role. My passion is in travel and tourism, and I see the Caribbean as the ideal area to invest in.

United States Virgin Islands > St. Thomas - St. John

$0 to $10,000

June 2, 2010

I am from the U.S. Virgin Islands and work as a Supervisor at the Ritz Carlton Club. Bachelors in Business & Concentration Finance. Invested in stocks with $2K or more, current company investment. Involvement: hands-on, advisory, or silent. Individual Investor.

Venezuela > caracas

$0 to $100,000

June 2, 2010

I am an individual investor based in Venezuela. I have an MBA and experience in general managing.

Jamaica > Portmore

$0 to $20,000

May 31, 2010

I am a 23 year old from Jamaica. I am currently a student at the University of Technology Jamaica and I am also a security officer. I do not have any experience in investment but I am looking to learn the skills and the technical aspects of it. I would especially to invest in real estate because it growing industry in Jamaica.

United States > Guayama

$75,000 to $50,000,000

May 16, 2010

Let start out by saying that I'm a broker. Mainly what I do is to look at proposals and match with lenders that I already have a business relationship. I'm an engineer by profession who has a lot intervention with local and international service contractors. I do work for a pharmaceutical company and manage a $2.6 million dollar department. This has given me the experience to work closely to financial institutions. Even though I'm in the Caribbean I have worked with projects in the Pacific but mainly in the United States.

Venezuela > Caracas

$5,000 to $50,000

May 13, 2010

20 years’ experience in Security Management. President of my own company in Venezuela with average annual sales of $ 2,000,000. Looking to invest in another company or new business in order to leave the country for my family safety due to the country’s instability. I’m 41, married with three boys. I was born in Jamaica and live in Venezuela (speak Spanish and English). Have Venezuelan and Panamanian citizenship (European citizenship in process) Worked 7 years at the American embassy (Diplomatic Security) and 9 years at British Petroleum (General Services manager, Security Manager & Security Risk Manager for all BP's branches in the country). 1 year as a freelance security consultant & have been President of my own company for 3 years: Security Consultancy, Security Managers, Officers, Drivers, Unarmed Bodyguards, Electronic Security & Capability And Training Unit. Depending on the investment would be individual or group.

Cayman Islands > West Bay

$100,000 to $50,000,000

May 13, 2010

I'm a single 30 year old Canadian male who relocated to the Caymans Islands two years ago. I've run a network of successful websites for nearly a decade but I am looking at investing my profits elsewhere in an effort to diversify. I would like to take a silent or an advisory role depending on the investment. I'm interested in investing in the Caribbean, Central American, or South Pacific Island region (such as Vanuatu).

Bahamas > New Providence

$250,000 to $500,000

May 11, 2010

I am a 34 year old married man with 3 children based in Nassau, Bahamas. My career started at a local insurance company selling life insurance. After obtaining my certification I was recruited by a larger Canadian base company. I then worked selling high end Time Share for Starwood an American based Hotel Company. Three years ago I left Starwood and started working for myself. I now own a thriving retail and wholesale company, which is one of the most recognized stores in Nassau and growing. Presently I am doing a Law course at the local College.

Jamaica > Montego Bay

$1,000,000 to $100,000,000

May 7, 2010

Proprietor of Flamingo Beach Estate, Trelawny, Jamaica. I have traveled to Jamaica for more than 35 years. As an entrepreneur, I have amassed considerable experience and depth of knowledge in many business related fields. My experience includes US, International, and Jamaican Law, Banking, Financing and Accounting. As an Independent Business Consultant, Bernie has had extensive experience dealing in Corporate Insurance, Marketing, Operations Management, Cash Flow and Financial management. I would prefer an advisory role when investing into new business ventures.

United States > Mission

$60,000 to $100,000

April 29, 2010

47 years old, married, CPA/MBA, located in south Texas, independent business consultant in general (accounting, tax), worked for PWC, Westinghouse and Shell in executive positions, over 20 years of experience. I am an individual investor.

Jamaica > Kingston

$1,000 to $5,000

April 27, 2010

I have trained in the field of architecture and in the past I have invested in money markets, stocks and real estate. I have also formed a beverage manufacturing and distribution company. I'm an individual investor.

Puerto Rico > San Juan

$5,000 to $20,000

April 25, 2010

I am currently living in Connecticut but will be relocating in June. Working with Yale University as a Associate Business Manager. Pursuing a major in Management and Marketing with Post University. This will be my first investment.

Trinidad and Tobago > Princes Town

$0 to $100,000

April 19, 2010

Distributor located in Trinidad. Looking for investment opportunities in any sector across the Caribbean.

Trinidad and Tobago > Tunapuna/Piarco

$0 to $1,000,000

April 12, 2010

25 Years of age and based in Trinidad. Industrial engineer, specialized in business process engineering and value enhancement, economic and otherwise. B.Sc in Industrial Engineering and M.Sc Engineering Management. Electronic Engineering Technician. Expertise in Consultancy and Venture Capitalism. I can provide not only economic support, but also technical (Engineering Design) and business process optimization to ensure success. Experience in Systems engineering, successful start-up and ROI maximization. Representing an investment group.

Haiti > Port-Au-Prince

$25,000,000 to $35,000,000

April 8, 2010

I am a 50 year old married man and father of 3 children (23, 18 & 14). I am currently in Port-au-Prince, Haiti as a consultant for Minister of Environment in the Haitian Government during the earthquake crisis. I have 28 years’ experience in the real estate industry from a salesperson to a broker. Current affiliations with National Board of Realtors and local organizations. Current Florida Licenses and degree in Business Management. Invested about a million dollars so far in the Nord-Ouest region of Haiti. In-depth experience in negotiations and contracts.



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