Venture Plan Outline

1. Opening, Front Page: Company name, company location, contact information, legal statements (proprietary information, copyright, etc.) ...
2. Executive Summary: One-page summary of the key elements of the business plan ...
3. Problem / Opportunity: The problem the venture will solve, the significance of the problem, the opportunity this offers the venture, quality of the opportunity, growth potential ...
4. Product and/or Service Solution Description: Essential product/service idea, category of product/service, proprietary protection, entry strategies ...
5. Customers and Target Markets: Target market characteristics, why this market is the best for your venture, market validation research ...
6. Business Model: How your venture will earn a profit, expected margins, sources of recurring revenue, vision, mission, goals ...
7. Competitive Advantages: Market focus, value proposition, core competencies, barriers to entry, competitive validation ...
8. Environment and Context: Industry overview, research results and analysis, major competitors, benchmark ventures, how your venture will position itself to meet the competition, timeliness, regulations ...
9. Marketing and Sales Strategy: Pricing strategies, distribution model, partnering, promotional strategies ...
10. Technology Strategies: Technology, product development ...
11. Operational Strategies: Production methodologies, manpower requirements, equipment requirements, material management, flow diagram of key processes ...
12. Intellectual Property and Legal Issues and Strategies: Patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets, operating and other agreements, legal structure ...
13. Organization: Management team, relevant domain knowledge of the team, commitment, advisers, management to be added, culture, talent ...
14. Development Plan: Current company status, number of employees, development stage, early revenue, number of customers, relevant historical information, long-term venture goals, growth strategies, timeline ...
15. Risks and Contingencies: Downside risks and contingency plans, upside risks and expansion plans ...
16. Financial Plan: Key assumptions, historical financial statements, pro forma statements, return on investment ...
17. Investment Funds Sought and Use of Proceeds: Total investment funding being sought, use of funds in 4 or 5 general categories, any unusual use of funds ...
18. Harvest Plan: Return of cash to investors and entrepreneurs; most-likely exit method (IPO, acquisition, ...) ...
19. Summary: A brief who, what, where, when, why, and how of the venture; vision and mission ...
20. Appendices and Research: Detailed resumes, research results, product data sheets ...

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