Rapid Prototyping Equipment Financing
Outline Of A Basic Business Plan

When you start or expand any business, but particularly one where you will need outside financing, you need a plan you can show to interested outside parties.  There are no rules for writing a business plan, but there are conventions.  People who review business plans presented by prospective clients prefer a plan that has all the salient elements in one orderly document, and which provides a good deal of detail.

Here is an outline for a typical business plan.  For more help creating a plan and some hints on writing it up, we have a longer page that provides additional advice on writing an effective business plan.

General Structure

1. Cover sheet
2. Statement of purpose
3. Table of contents
4. The body of the plan

The body of the plan in detail

1. Description of the business
   1. General description
   2. Services and products
2. Marketing and competition
   1. Competition
   2. Pricing
   3. Sales
   4. Advertising
3. Management
   1. Overview of operations
   2. Operating procedures
   3. Key personnel
   4. Special requirements (e.g., insurance)
4. Finances
   1. Financial Data
   2. Loan applications
   3. Capital equipment and supply list
   4. Balance sheet
   5. Breakeven analysis
   6. Pro forma income projections (profit & loss statements)
      1. Three-year summary
      2. Detail by month first year
      3. Detail by quarters, second and third years
      4. Assumptions upon which projections were based
   7. Pro forma cash flow
      1. Three-year summary
      2. Details of first year by month
      3. Details of second and third years by quarters
      4. Assumptions upon which projections were based

Supporting Documents

1. Tax returns of principals for last two years
2. Personal financial statement (banks have these forms, and so do we)
3. Copy of proposed lease or purchase agreement for building space
4. Copy of licenses and other legal documents
5. Copy of resumes of all principals
6. Copies of letters of intent from suppliers, etc.

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