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"Angel Investment Network is a great tool for introducing Investors and Entrepreneurs and it has given me some great success stories over the years that I have been involved. "
Damian Guy - ARC Investments


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

Ireland > Dublin

€0 to €100,000

January 31, 2012

We are looking to place seed captial in technology start ups. Open to supporting the business with managment and directoral support in addition to capital.

Ireland > Dublin

€50,000 to €1,000,000

January 30, 2012

Professional investor, originally from Eastern Europe with substantial contacts in the Baltic States interested in getting involved in Irish businesses, as an investor, non executive director.

Ireland > Galway

€0 to €10,000

January 29, 2012

Private investor with sales background.

Ireland > Tipperary

€20,000 to €50,000

January 29, 2012

Married, living in Tipperary. Have worked at MD level in Irish manufacrturing and exporting companies for 30 years. Currently retired but retained by a US company to support them in developing and manufacturing gels for the fibre optic cable industry. Have a Ph.D. in Chemistry Involvement would be on an advisory basis as an individual investor

Ireland > Dublin

€1,000 to €40,000

January 28, 2012

I am a 26 year old single male, living and working in Dublin city centre. I current own a traditional Irish sweet shop in the heart of Temple bar. Previously, I worked as a Marketing Executive for Large global Insurance company. I have a degree in Business studies and also a Higher Diploma in Corporate law. As part of my new companys growing business plan, myself and my business partner will be looking to invest in new and exciting companies, that will look to expand nationally and internationally. Both our backgrounds come from the corporate world and now retail. Between us we have excellent experience in retail, finance and marketing, along with corporate sales.

Ireland > Dublin

€1,000 to €100,000

January 27, 2012

Age 51, married, 3 kids Experience: Property investor, builder, stockbroker, artist, sales and marketing. Business degree. I have made investments ranging from 1000 to 1.5 million in property, stocks and venture capital My experience is very broad and I have contacts over a wide base. Anticipated involvement-- roll the sleeves up and get stuck in as part of a team. I need for my next venture to succeed. Status: Individual Investor, but I am also part of a small informal group with similar objectives.

Ireland > Dublin

€10,000 to €50,000

January 27, 2012

I am a 40 year old, Cell Biologist with biomedical research experience in Ireland, the UK and Austria and have an interest in biotech and tech start-ups.

Ireland > Kildare

€20,000 to €30,000

January 26, 2012

I worked in steel and factory maintaince for 25 years

Ireland > Sligo

€30,000 to €70,000

January 24, 2012

I am 52 years old and my family are almost all flown the nest. I have a sum of money to invest at this time. I believe there are many good start-ups with real potential and I would love to get involved in supporting 'my' chosen one. I have worked all my life in admin and PA positions and I always work closely with the Directors/Proprietors. I have always loved learning about the particular business involved and I have a good head on my shoulders. Currently, I hold the position of Responsible Person (RP) with a pharmaceutical wholesaler in Sligo and I am the Depot Supervisor. We are highly regulated by the IMB and it is my responsibility to ensure the depot is operating within the standards set out in our licence authorisation. In the past I worked in the Auctioneering business and invested in property myself - long before the celtic tiger. I have recently invested in property again on a small scale. I would be willing to become actively involved in any start-up - Admin/IT/Accounts etc

Ireland > Mayo

€5,000 to €50,000

January 23, 2012

Qualified Engineer representing a group of successfull business people in the Public Relations / Financial Services / Banking and Industrial Sectors. Investment to be adisory.

Ireland > Longford

€0 to €150,000

January 20, 2012

Aged 33, married in Longford Degree in Education Backround accountant

Ireland > Cork

€1,000 to €10,000

January 19, 2012

Personal Information: 31 years old, single, living in Cork. Work in IT industry. Degree in Software Development.

Ireland > Cork

€5,000 to €50,000

January 18, 2012

Looking to invest anything up to 50k.

Ireland > Dublin

€1 to €300,000

January 17, 2012

Genuine investor, did well out of the celtic tiger, have a finance and property background. I'm looking for a solid investment, not afraid to get hands on myself if desired. Not interested in get rich quick schemes just something that I can understand and get involved in. Open to many ideas

Ireland > Longford

€1 to €15,000

January 17, 2012

I am an electrical contractor running my own business for the past 8 years and remained profitable throughout the past few years in tough times. Looking to invest as a silent investor.

Ireland > Dublin

€1 to €100,000

January 16, 2012

Executive with significant experience in pharma and biotech industries.

Australia > Perth

€1 to €35,000

January 13, 2012

I am an engineer currently working in the Oil & Gas industry in Perth. I am very interested about design and new concepts. I would be willing to invest in someone who is passionate about their own project.

Ireland > Laois

€1,000 to €30,000

January 12, 2012

Age 23. Individual, silent investor.

Ireland > Cork

€500 to €5,000

January 12, 2012

Small amount to invest. Interested in helping to provide capital for start- ups

Ireland > Cork

€1,000 to €25,000

January 9, 2012

I'm a 35 years of age and living in West Cork with my wife on a smallholding that we purchased about 4 years ago. We're looking to align ourselves with small to medium sized investments of HPSU's who are looking to expand rapidly.



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