The plan may contain up to 10 pages of actual text (not counting
contact sheet, cover page or table of contents) plus up to 5
additional pages of tables, exhibits, figures and appendices.
Nothing beyond these page limitations is permitted.
Each business plan must contain a:
- Contact sheet
- Cover page
- Table of contents
The Executive Summary should contain the following
information:
- Product (i.e., describe the business concept/opportunity)
- Target market
- Value proposition
- Competitive advantage
- Product, process or new business model
- Intellectual property
- Customers
- Competitors
- Competitive advantage
- Company mini-history
- Mission
- Team
- Stage
- Business model (revenue and profit projections)
- History of prior funding (if any), funding needed and potential
return for investors
The remainder of the plan should provide the necessary details,
including but not limited to:
- Products or services
- Understandable brief technical description
- Value proposition (specific human needs addressed)
- Intellectual property protection
- Possible future products
- Market
- Industry (growth, size, segments, entry barriers)
- Target markets (growth, size, customers)
- Buying power (buying preferences present and future)
- Competitor matrix (strengths and weaknesses)
- Competitive advantage/substitutes
- Company
- Vision, mission and values
- The management team, advisors and board members
- History/stage
- Marketing and sales plan
- Marketing strategy sales plan (goals and bottom up sales
projection)
- Promotion
- Pricing
- Distribution channels
- Implementation of organization plan
- Legal structure (organization structure and management
needs)
- Experience
- References
- Staff needs (motivation and compensation)
- Other human resource concerns
- Implementation of operations plan
- Technology status
- Regulatory and legal concerns
- Manufacturing requirements (including facilities and
equipment)
- Supply chain issues
- Growth plan
- Growth strategies and product development
- R & D Plan (spin-offs, benchmarks or milestones)
- Staffing resources needed
- Difficulties and risks
- Other internal strategies
- External development (including franchising and
acquisitions)
- Contingency plan
- Critical risks
- Environment markets (including price cutting)
- Products - IP persistence
- Competitive threats
- Operations (limited experience and cost overruns)
- Organization management (including dependence on key people and
issues regarding limited experience)
- Financial plan
- Pro forma statements (2-3yr; complete cash flow)
- Burn rate/Breakeven point
- Investment proposal
- Investment needed (including sources and uses of funds)
- Investors’ return
For information and suggestions regarding the development of an
effective business plan, please consult the Small Business
Administration at
http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writeabusinessplan/SERV_WRRITINGBUSPLAN.html
Submission of Completed Business Plans
When you have completed your business plan, you may
submit it here.