Texas 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.

Texas Investors

Texas > Dripping Springs

I work in the heavy civil construction industry and have typically been investing in other contractors. However, I am unopposed to investment in really any industry.

$0 to $1,000,000

Texas > Po Box 743 Salado

We are on the look out to fund good profit oriented projects such as follows:. Real estate commercial development,manufacture,bio tech's,Hotels,entertainment industries,Transport companies etc.OR are you in need of help.Are you looking for money to pay bills? Do you want to start Or Expand your Business?

$50,000 to $40,000,000

Texas > Shavano Park

I am married with 3 children and we live in North San Antonio. I work for a family business, and am looking to use our profits to diversify into other markets. My first interest is construction/real estate, but I am open to other business opportunities as well. I attended Baylor University and received my degree in business. I like to be somewhat hands-on and hopefully we can meet in person.

$25,000 to $1,000,000

Texas > Colleyville

We are an independent investment firm that provides private equity investments to a select list of clients. We have a focused investment objective for specific markets with forward thinking companies to provide profitable returns through primary partnerships, secondary purchases, and direct investments.

$500,000 to $20,000,000

Texas > Abilene

I'm an enthusiastic and open-minded individual with a strong desire to embark on the exciting journey of investing in your business. My background includes a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. I am an avid follower of emerging market trends and innovative startups, which has fueled my passion for investing. I currently work in the aviation industry. I can offer the advantage of a flexible and agile approach to investment, allowing us to tailor terms and strategies that align with your business goals. My aim is to be actively engaged, working closely with you and your team to help navigate challenges, provide feedback, and offer assistance wherever needed.

$25,000 to $75,000

Texas > Austin

Relocated to Austin with my wife to start a family and currently have a little boy on the way. Previously worked in the tech industry, including serving as the Head of Talent for Series C start up. Currently the co-founder, owner and operator of a real estate investment company focused on the multi-family space. Experience investing across a variety of industries including but not limited to real estate, tech, hospitality, and restaurants.

$1 to $250,000

Texas > Dallas

I am a young professional who just moved to Dallas from San Diego. Looking to invest/ partner with a business to help it grow and succeed.

$1,000 to $500,000

Texas > Lufkin

Over 30 years of successful Field Operations and Senior Leadership roles in the Environmental, Oil and Gas (Upstream, Midstream, Downstream), and Industrial Services Business Sectors with a Fortune 200 company (reclamation, disposal, transportation, site and field services, industrial sludge dewatering and oil recovery, EH&S, compliance, equipment (lease/rentals/cleaning & repairs). Have experience in tuck in and strategic acquisitions, structure and execution reorganizations, value proposition development and marketing, business development, strategic partnerships and start ups, Looking for opportunities to invest, advise, mentor, and grow new and existing like industry or new industry or segment opportunities.

$1,000 to $50,000