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"Thank you. I'm happy to provide an update on Bleu Life Media. Via your website we were able to obtain funding from an angel investor in the amount of $175k. The relationship is working out very well, and we have expanded our business with the capital provided, including the launch of a digital version of the magazine "
Adrian Roberts Bleu Life Media


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

€1,000 to €20,000

July 29, 2010

Final year medical student with some minor investments in Ireland. Looking to invest some more to safeguard future financial security. Individual investor.

Ireland > Dublin

€30,000 to €50,000

July 29, 2010

Business development manager with a background in financial services cold calling. I have moved into construction specifying building products to architects, and have gained experience in developing new businesses from nil. I am currently self-employed and am looking for investment opportunities where I can be actively involved. I have extensive contacts within the construction Industry but do not want to limit my involvement to that sector. I am looking for an honest and sincere business partner to develop a business that I can get excited about.

Ireland > Offaly

€1,000 to €10,000

July 28, 2010

I’m 24 and based in the Midlands. I have experience in sales, production and management. I would like to get involved with a start up company ideally although I would be interested in hearing about any exciting opportunities in a hands on role.

Ireland > Dublin

€50,000 to €200,000

July 26, 2010

40 year old individual investor. Self employed for 20 years and the founder of a well established interiors company that provides a full range of turnkey services to both the residential and commercial markets.

Ireland > Dublin

€20,000 to €100,000

July 25, 2010

Current portfolio includes a retail business and a wholesale/distribution network. I am looking to invest in a company showing signs for growth in any of the listed fields on my registration. My background is management and marketing and my involvement in the investment would vary depending on my level of knowledge on the product or service.

Ireland > Limerick

€10,000 to €3,500,000

July 24, 2010

Mainly interested in green tech and start ups needing funding. Patented protected projects preferred.

Ireland > Dublin

€10,000 to €100,000

July 22, 2010

Hands-on, technology focussed and driven individual interested in emerging technologies.

Ireland > Dublin

€10,000 to €10,000

July 21, 2010

Experience with new product design and development, and entering the US retail market. Currently selling a consumer product into major stores such as Kmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Roundy's, QVC, Benny's in the US as well as Boots, Asda in the UK and Blokker in The Netherlands. Investment would be small as I would intend in putting more time, energy and experience into the product and channel through my network.

Ireland > Dublin

€10,000 to €50,000

July 19, 2010

Personal Information: Based in Dublin Ireland. Current position: MD/Owner of leading recruitment firm. Education: Honors degree from University of Limerick, Ireland. Anticipated Involvement: Silent. Status: Individual Investor.

Ireland > Mayo

€5,000 to €30,000

July 18, 2010

Successful 37 year old professional looking for individual investment opportunity within medical device / life science start up business. Silent investor looking to achieve a good return on capital investment. Degree qualified in engineering with experience working within the medical device sector and desire to invest within the medical device sector.

Ireland > Dublin

€10,000 to €50,000

July 17, 2010

38 year old male - masters in psychology, 9 years teaching experience in Ireland and overseas. I left teaching to set up a business in retail and food and I am now looking to invest in other companies.

Ireland > Dublin

€50,000 to €200,000

July 14, 2010

I majored in Computers in Information Technology, have experience in real estate and am currently working in the security industry. I am looking to invest between €50,000 and €200,000.

Ireland > Dublin

€0 to €5,000

July 13, 2010

I’m currently residing in the Dublin and coming towards the completion of my degree in Economics. My most valuable experience would be the construction and retail industry. I would be interested in investing or working with anyone who has any new technology related to my my experience, but I am open to all realistic opportunities and would be interested in most industry investments. I would appreciate if anyone who is looking for an investment and feels they might have a great opportunity would contact me.

Ireland > Wicklow

€10,000 to €50,000

July 12, 2010

Irish citizen, retired General Manager in early 60’s, married, living in County Wicklow. Over 40 years engaged in manufacturing, predominately in the electric manufacturing area. Background in finance, 10 years as general manager, last 5 years in central China. Individual investor with option to have advisory role

Ireland > Cork

€50,000 to €250,000

July 11, 2010

I am originally from India, but am currently studying in Ireland. I have some contacts who are looking for investments in Ireland.

Ireland > Dublin

€10,000 to €200,000

July 9, 2010

I am a married ex Futures Trader looking for alternate investments to add to my portfolio.

United Kingdom > Newcastle

€1,000 to €5,000,000

July 5, 2010

Interested in start up technology companies with emphasis on saas models.

Ireland > Cavan

€0 to €20,000

July 5, 2010

I am a 31 year old entrepreneur/investor with cash available for the right investment. Ideally I would like to be a silent investor but would be willing to invest time as well as money into the right opportunity. My own background is in Finance and Sales and Marketing. My current business interests range from property, software development, website construction and product development.

Ireland > Dublin

€10,000 to €40,000

July 5, 2010

I have recently come into some money through an inheritance and am interested in finding an investment opportunity.

Ireland > Dublin

€10,000 to €100,000

July 3, 2010

Dublin based investor with successful track record in technology and communications sector. Early 40's with over 20 years experience. Have built several businesses from the ground up and sold them. Now interested in helping young entrepreneurs with good ideas to do the same. Interested in hands-on or advisory opportunities in high growth markets and/or new technology sectors.



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