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Testimonials

"Thank you very much for the extra input with my Restaurant/Nightclub proposal. I already have a couple investors who are requesting more info, and that's less than 24hrs after submitting the proposal to you. I am very pleased."
Rodrick Agcaoili


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

Australia > Queensland

$50,000 to $1,000,000

March 10, 2010

I am a 34 year old married entrepreneur living in Brisbane that now has means to invest in other companies etc. I am an owner manager of a business that operates in Queensland, I have a bachelors degree and have investments in Mortgage Broking companies along with investment properties. I have experience in Wholesaling and business management and am a keen individual investor. Involvement will be on a per case basis.

Australia > New South Wales

$50,000 to $200,000

March 9, 2010

I am a Sydney based individual professional Investor. I have an MBA and my professional background is in the financial markets. I invest in the financial markets professionally full time on my own behalf as well as having some private equity investments. I am happy to fully involve myself in any business I invest in on a "needs be" basis.

Austria > Großgmain

$500,000 to $2,000,000

March 8, 2010

I am a individual investor. Age 37. Living at the moment in Austria. We will move back to Australia (My wife is Australian). I worked as consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Last position was Country Finance Manager for a Swiss company.

Australia > New South Wales

$0 to $10,000

March 7, 2010

Individual investor with background in customer service, technical support, project management and business analysis. Interested in being a hands-on investor for start-ups.

Australia > New South Wales

$50,000 to $500,000

March 7, 2010

Professional American investor with global interests, residing in Australia for 10+ years. Experienced in diverse range of commerce, but will bring significant value to the company, both financially and advisory, as we properly structure and capitalise your business to allow for continued and sustainable growth. Will be active at director level, allowing management to drive day-to-day process.

United Kingdom > London

$5,000 to $100,000

March 7, 2010

31 year old IT consultant. BSc (computer), BEng(elec). Individual silent investor.

Australia > New South Wales

$0 to $500,000

March 4, 2010

Interested primarily in internet/IT related investments. Experience starting and running successful internet businesses.

Australia > New South Wales

$1 to $200,000

March 4, 2010

N***** offers extensive experience in the management and growth of small to medium enterprises, start-ups, expansion and high growth businesses in the Asia Pacific region and other international markets. The management brings together an in-depth knowledge of consumer, retail, business to business, services, technology, creative and digital media markets, as well as broad knowledge and key vertical relationships throughout the supply chain. The depth and breadth of management experience enables us to add significant value to companies in capital raising, finance, strategy, planning, operations, sales, marketing, business development and general advisory and non-executive roles.

Australia > New South Wales

$50,000 to $1,000,000

March 4, 2010

I am 60, married, live in Sydney. 40 years professional experience (25 at board and management level). Skills include IT, telecoms and power engineering, management, sales and marketing. 15 years principal of consulting/advisory company Enterprise Growth Partners, 3 years Associate with Gramercy Venture Advisors, 3 years CEO of Simplecomputing Australia, 2 years Operations Manager with AWA, 6 years R&D Manager with JNA and NetComm Australia and 10 years Senior Engineer with Telstra. BSc in Elec Eng from Salford Uni in England. Diploma in Company Directorship from Sydney Uni. My investments are small positions in Gramercy Venture Advisors, MasterSoft and Enterprise Growth Partners, however have been involved in acquiring investments up to $2m. I have contacts throughout the Australian investment and technology community. I will mainly be an advisory partner. Could be hands-on with key investments. My status is as advisor and individual investor who can introduce other investors.

Australia > Queensland

$20,000 to $50,000

March 1, 2010

Personal info: 32 years old, married, based in Brisbane Professional experience: Since Nov08 working for QLD Energy company, currently as senior trading and commercial analyst, establishing energy trading capability within company and working on other commercial agreements. Prior role responsible for risk management, Internal control and insurance within the same company. Before that worked for 6 years for Shell Trading mainly in London, working in contracts, analyst and front line trading functions. Education: Bachelor degree in International Business Limited private investment experience, main investment experience has been with the companies I worked for and related to real estate. Involvement: flexible hands-on, advisory or silent Status: individual investor

Australia > Victoria

$10,000 to $100,000

February 27, 2010

Age 59. Consultant to the gambling industry. Senior Executive. B.Eng (Hons).MBA. Silent. Individual investor.

Australia > Victoria

$10,000 to $100,000

February 27, 2010

Age 59. Senior executive in gambling industry. Tertiary education. B.Eng (Hons). MBA. Financial Planner. Business entrepreneur. Silent partner. Individual investor.

Australia > New South Wales

$500 to $1,000

February 26, 2010

I am 32, single, living in Sydney. I am looking for investment opportunities in the business sector of all categories. My involvement will be aimed at being silent. I have limited experience with starting businesses of my own. I am looking for entrepreneurs and small business people who are looking to start up or need some additional small capital to expand their existing business.

Australia > Queensland

$1 to $10,000,000

February 24, 2010

Company Director specializing in the importation and national distribution of audio visual accessories to the Australian market place. We ship over 4500 shop fronts and have an extensive distribution infrastructure in place with 75 staff. We are seeking partnership and acquisition and venture capital opportunities to increase our revenues and market dominance.

Australia > Queensland

$1 to $1,000,000

February 24, 2010

My family and I are situated on the gold coast Australia. I consult for mining company which requires me to travel often. I own several businesses some as partnerships and other outright but my main income source comes from share and option trading. I have always been active in any business that I have invested in either through direct involvement or as a advisor but in the right situation would be willing to take on a silent roll. I am looking for investments as a individual but also have access to family trust for the right investment.

Australia > Victoria

$10,000 to $100,000

February 22, 2010

Personal : 51, married, Melbourne Professional experience: Chartered Accountant, CFO, GM and director positions in blue chip companies in Australasia, Asia and Europe. Currently Principal of a management consultancy. Education: BMS, Grad Dip Mktg, CA, CMA, ACIS Investment experience : Across a number of industries up to A$500k Other value-adds (e.g. experience, expertise, contacts, etc.) Management consultancy specializing in critical decision review (sanity checks) for C level executives. Anticipated involvement : Depends upon opportunity Status: Potential investor, advisor, consultant or director.

Australia > New South Wales

$100,000 to $2,000,000

February 22, 2010

CEO of Maxidor South Africa for last 25 years and CEO of other businesses in the group. Businessman of the year for 2004/5, Want hands-on involvement if possible but happy to advise from the sideline. Just moved to Sydney, NSW and looking to build a business group similar in size to that in South Africa (See www.maxidor.com)

Australia > New South Wales

$10,000 to $5,000,000

February 22, 2010

Practising Public Accountant. Considerable business experience and Connections. Anticipated involvement, JV, hands on, advisory. Individual investor with access to associate investors.

Australia > Western Australia

$0 to $200,000,000

February 22, 2010

O**** Group is a full-service independent corporate strategy and corporate financial advisory practice operating throughout the Asia Pacific region. We specialise in assisting middle-market clients in all major industries with strategic transactions such as capital raisings, divestments, and acquisitions. Our approach is to roll our sleeves up and work closely in partnership with our clients providing practical, value-adding advice and solutions to ensure the successful completion of every transaction.

United States > Pinole

$1,000,000 to $10,000,000

February 21, 2010

I run a US based Angel Investor group with two chapters in Palo Alto and Reno. We made 8 investments in last 12 months. I also have access to a worldwide network of investors, and I also invest personally. We seek high returns investments only (IRR = 25% and up).



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