We use the following business plan outline(s) as the framework for our startup strategy and planning process. After many years of doing this, we have found that this approach works very well, as it is a logical, creative, and pragmatic way to work through the details of a business-- starting with market pain and opportunity (aka, "why does the world need your business, now?" and progressing with product roadmap ("vision & solution"), launch and growth plans ("tactical"), marketing and sales cycle, etc.

It is based partially on the business plan outline published by Sequoia Capital, and is influenced by numerous other outlines and templates (Guy Kawasaki, Venture Hacks, Brad Feld, and many others).

Please let us know if this helps you, or if you find other business plan outlines that are particularly useful. We are constantly strving to improve and deliver the best result to our startup clients.

Version I: Key Elements of a Successful Business Plan (Really Short Form):

Market Opportunity: Establishes the case for “why the world needs your solution;” Provides market size, growth, trends, and customer information.

Company and Products: Explains how your product meets or exceeds the market need.

Operations and Development: Lays out launch, growth, and expansion strategies and tactics.

Marketing, Sales, and Distribution: Demonstrates how you will gain awareness, acquire customers, close deals, and get product to market.

Partnerships and Alliances: Discusses who will help you succeed and why they will do so.

Competition: Describes competitive environment as well as your advantages and differentiation.

Management: Background on who is running the show; Demonstrates credibility.

Financial: Shows how you will make money, your funding needs and uses, and how you will provide a return to investors.

Version II: Key Elements of a Successful Business Plan (Slightly Longer Form):

Market Opportunity (market overview and definition; market sizing & growth; market drivers & trends; markets by region, stage, or vertical; target customers; customer needs & desires; customer segmentation; regulatory and legal issues as applicable)

Company and Product (Company history/background; Company objectives, strategy and goals; vision and mission; product description and features; future product/service offerings and roadmap; Company and product strategic differentiation and competitive advantage)

Operations and Development (commercialization strategy and objectives; new product launch strategy and tactical plans; alpha/beta customer testing or pilot trial plans; outsourcing development strategy [if relevant]; development requirements and additional resources needed; technical discussion; systems and costs; production timeline; unique advantages and challenges, key risks, etc.)

Existing Relationships (external partners; technology/support partners; description/detail on existing customer base [if relevant]; customer testimonials and feedback, case studies, etc. as applicable)

Planned Future Alliances/Partnerships (landscape, strategy and specific initiatives; discussion of technical, marketing, sales, support and other potential partners; deal terms and partner roles and tasks; strategies and tactics for approaching and forging partnerships)

Marketing (branding, positioning, promotion, pricing strategy, value propositions; objectives, marketing strategy and specific tactics, marketing metrics, PR and advertising plans, viral or affiliate structures, etc.)

Sales (objectives, strategy, sales plan, pricing; distribution, organization, channels, relationships, etc)

Competition (competitive environment; competitive positioning and analysis; strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats; defensibility, barriers to entry, etc.)

Management and Team (management team background and experience; Board of Advisors and/or Directors, external consultants, etc.—background and experience; hiring and support needs and plan; planned organizational chart)

Financial (revenue drivers and cost assumptions; customer metrics; discussion of key profit/loss variables; current capitalization table review; budgeting, funding needed, and use of proceeds)

Exit (exit strategy considerations, including analysis of potential acquiring candidates or potential for IPO)

Back to Business Plan Overview

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