About the Book

The Business Plan is an essential tool for attracting an investor’s attention. They receive hundreds of plans every week and spend no more than ten minutes on each one before deciding if it is of further interest. This means that the plan needs to be a short, snappy document that conveys the facts about your business quickly and clearly.

This book explains how to write a plan that has the information that an investor needs to see. It shows that it is a simple process and anyone can do it, irrespective of background or prior knowledge.

Business Plans That Get Investment is a clear and comprehensive guide to writing a plan that turns those ten minutes of attention into investment.

The book is written by David Bateman, the founder of several businesses and an active angel investor. David has spoken at many of the world’s leading university business schools and MBA programmes, including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, MIT, Wharton and Columbia.

Business Plans That Get Investment offers readers the benefit of David’s unique expertise and experience.

Sponsor Information

Business Plans That Get Investment is sponsored by The Oxford Investment Opportunity Network (OION, www.oion.co.uk).

The Oxford Investment Opportunity Network was established in 1994 as one of the UK’s first business angel networks. OION has an interest in companies with a strong barrier to entry, often patented and a spin-out from research, but any company with a strong vision for growth will be considered to present to the Network. Today, OION is one of the UK’s most successful technology focused business angel networks, linking investors to companies with high growth potential seeking investment from less than £200k to £1.5 million.

OION has also formed two other successful investment networks; The Thames Valley Investment Network (TVIN, www.tvin.co.uk) for companies with a focus on media, including FMCG, lifestyle and green-technology; and Oxford Early Investments (OEI, www.oxei.co.uk) for earlier stage investment opportunities, often where more than just investment is being sought. OEI is suitable for companies seeking from £75k up to £250k and often where the new government Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) scheme is relevant.

Foreword

Oxford Investment Opportunity Network (OION) is one of the UK’s largest and most well-established angel networks. At OION we introduce entrepreneurs and business owners to a range of investors, with a view to investment.

As OION’s Investment Network Manager I have received and reviewed thousands of business plans over the years. A constant hurdle that I face is that all too often a potentially sound, or even great, business idea is presented in a confused and lengthy state. With key points and investment criteria missing, such plans could potentially lose an otherwise great opportunity for investment backing. Consequently, we spend many hours prior to an investment meeting helping entrepreneurs to get their business plans into a clear and direct format, ready for presentation and pitch to our network member investors.

‘Business Plans that Get Investment’ addresses the key criteria that an investor needs to be able to make an assessment of a business plan and the corresponding investment proposal. It does this with a very straightforward, yet comprehensive, methodology and tackles the essential points that are required for investment.

Based on my experience with OION, I rmly believe that if you are an entrepreneur or businessperson who is seriously considering raising investment, you should read this book and take on board the structure and advice within; it will signi cantly improve your chances of attracting initial interest that could lead to investment success and enable you to take your business to the next stage of growth.

Eileen Modral, Investment Network Manager, Oxford Investment Opportunity Network

Endorsements

“David’s book is an invaluable resource for any entrepreneur seeking to raise funding. Based on years of experience, David shows how to keep things short and clear!”

Thomas Hellmann, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

“Anyone interested in this subject should read this book.”

Tim Hames, Director General of BVCA (British Venture Capital Association)