We highly recommend that all ten of the following sections be included in your detailed business plan. Failure to address any given section may lead to investor disqualification for funding.

Executive Summary: This two page summary of your business plan may be all that is ever read by an investor. Therefore it is critical that it captures the reader's interest by being persuasive, concise and well written. You should address briefly all of the following sections of the business plan, but especially, why you are convinced that your concept is uniquely positioned to succeed.

Marketplace: Present relevant industry and target market data and trends. Show the market size and growth potential for YOUR business. For example, if you are selling peanuts, your market is not total global food consumption, but rather snack foods in your region. Identify the opportunities for your business's dominance of the market via barriers of entry.

Competition: List the key competitors and their market share. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the market leaders. State how your business is poised for winning versus the competition.

Product or Service: Show how your product addresses the customers' needs. Advise how your product is differentiated from the competition's product. Provide a product development history and future plans.

Marketing and Sales: Cover all aspects of marketing: pricing, distribution and promotion. Present the key communication messages to potential customers. Provide a marketing budget and sales plan.

Management Team: For all key members of the management team, prepare concise summary of their achievements and expected contribution to the business. Show how they will work together. Identify any skill gaps.

Business System and Organization: Provide a description of the business process for each product or service. Show your organization chart, with headcount numbers. Identify your board of directors and advisors. State your strategic alliances and their terms.

Implementation Schedule: Determine a realistic schedule for implementation. Identify key milestones.

Opportunities and Risks: Outline any extraordinary opportunities for growth, and potential risks to your business model.

Financials: Provide realistic assumptions for revenues, cost and expenses. Prepare forecasted income statements, balance sheet and cash flows for three to five years. Identify capital structure, funding requirements and exit strategies. You may wish to consult with an accounting or financial consultant for the preparation of the statements.