Illinois 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.

Illinois Investors

United States > Illinois

I am returning citizen to US in January 2026 seeking to invest in an opportunity for steady monthly income. I have experience of more than 15 years in community management.

$50,000 to $80,000

United States > Illinois

Live in the Chicagoland area. Seeking to invest in a business in need of an advisor or hands-on partner. Broad range of experience with businesses ranging from $100,000 to $120 million in revenue. Strengths include sales, inventory management, profitability and process improvement.

$10,000 to $500,000

United States > Illinois

Experienced real estate investor

$25,000 to $100,000

United States > Illinois

I have been involved in the lending arena for 14 years. I have done everything from residential to commercial deals. I represent private funding source's that will FUND up to 100 %, and fund any type of project based asset. Project must make sense!!! Funding takes approximatley 70 banking days to fund once project and all necessary paperwork has been submitted to investor.From 10 million and up!!! NO UP FRONT FEES!!!

$1,000,000 to $900,000,000

United States > Illinois

I and my wife have a lots of experience in the Thai, Chinese, and Japanese Restaurant business. My wife is a head chef at a Thai Japanese restaurant for the last 10 years. I work in the area of logistics & electronics and am a graduate of the Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry University.

$100,000 to $500,000

United States > Illinois

I'm an individual investor with my sights on supporting businesses and ideas that advance adoption of new and existing technologies. My investment target has been very specific over the past few years, mostly in stocks and crypto. My current job in a research facility and a graduate thesis in 3D printing has add flavor to my investment portfolio. Real estate is also an avenue I would like to venture into. I would like to support entrepreneurs in a monetary and / or contribution role.

$1,000 to $20,000

United States > Illinois

I am 56 years of age and happily married with three wonderful children and three adopted dogs. I am a native Chicagoan and I am currently residing in the suburbs of Chicago. I attended High School at Gordon Tech and I have a B.S. in Business Management from Northeastern Illinois University. I have a background in sales and customer service in the utility and wine industries. Also, owned a small landscape and snow removal business. I am an individual investor and I just started a holding company that will focus on real estate buy and hold for rental purposes. Furthermore, I am very interested in other investments that will diversify my portfolio. I am seeking ventures with passionate entrepreneurs to invest with. I enjoy networking with other professionals and good people with a positive attitude and demeanor. I am open to advisory and silent involvement with some hands-on, depending on the need and situation.

$1,000 to $50,000

United States > Illinois

Small family office in southwest IL (near STL). We are currently building out a private equity portfolio of companies with high growth potential. We will also consider a minority stake in a cash flow positive corporation or partnership. Able to provide some expertise and support in an advisory capacity if needed. Our firm values integrity and transparency, which we expect from our business partners. If you reach out to us, we do have a quick questionnaire we may send if your pitch deck/proposal is missing some of the elements we typically look for. We prefer local (Illinois and St Louis) businesses, but will consider any US opportunities that meet our criteria.

$10,000 to $250,000