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 > Dunedin

I'm 38, married with two children. My current profession is an Operations VP for a national real estate research and document filing company. I am looking into real estate investing and am willing to be totally involved in any in real estate investment. I live in Pinellas county and I am familiar with Pasco county as well. I am willing to invest in flipping, buy and hold, or note investing. I do not have experience in the above mentioned strategies but have self educated myself and am ready to start. I am willing to be a silent partner or full hands on partner.

$10,000 to $50,000

Florida > Navarre

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

$1,000 to $15,000

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 > Lutz

As a couple we invest in small businesses having product offerings that scale and are innovative. We are passionate about technology, health care at all ages, and a healthy lifestyle through good food, travel and activities. We both have master level education and enjoy actively participating in our investments through operation, board-level decisions and advising through our corporate experience.

$5,000 to $100,000

Florida > Boynton Beach

Looking for a new project for investment. I am looking to be hands on in bringing a company to fruition in a sales and marketing role.

$10,000 to $75,000

Florida > Ft Laudrdale

I am private investor from Switzerland. I have interest in development of multifamily housing and new technology in the construction field.

$1,000,000 to $8,000,000

Florida > Miami

We are a family office located in Miami, FL. We have successfully created several businesses throughout the last 60 years and would like to help others in the community do so as well. We have expertise in the following industries: supermarkets, retail, real estate, tire wholesale/distribution, banking, insurance, real estate development, auto industry, technology, fitness, sports, agriculture, and more. From start-ups, to turn around's. We have a vast network and resources to help any business succeed. We sold one of our companies, Associated Grocers of Florida in 2017 to Supervalu for $193 million. In 2011, our Tire Group International Inc. (TGI) partnered with Transportation Resource Partners (TRP) and the McLarty Companies. In 1999, our Ready State Bank was sold to Union Planters Bank . The deal, worth $600 million in assets. Our group includes successful business individuals with MBA's and members of the FIU Business School Hall of Fame. Advisory or hands on.

$100,000 to $5,000,000

Florida > Jacksonville

Investment intermediary and venture partner with a focus on clean tech. Investment banking and C-Level experience. International capital relationships allow my firm to fund a wide array of complex deals.

$500,000 to $25,000,000