a simple business plan format

• What demographics will most likely need/buy your product or service?
• What are the psychographics of this audience? (Desires, triggering events, etc.)
• Why are your offerings valuable to them?

It can be helpful to build a buyer persona to get in the mindset of your ideal customers and be crystal clear on why you're targeting them.

5. Marketing Strategy

Here, you'll discuss how you'll acquire new customers with your marketing strategy. You might consider including information on:

• The brand positioning vision and how you'll cultivate it
• The goal targets you aim to achieve
• The metrics you'll use to measure success
• The channels and distribution tactics you'll use

It can help to already have a marketing plan built out to help you inform this component of your business plan.

6. Key Features and Benefits

At some point in your business plan, you'll review the key features and benefits of your products and/or services. Laying these out can give readers an idea of how you're positioning yourself in the market and the messaging you're likely to use . It can even help them gain better insight into your business model.

7. Pricing and Revenue

This is where you'll discuss your cost structure and various revenue streams. Your pricing strategy must be solid enough to turn a profit while staying competitive in the industry. For this reason, you might outline:

• The specific pricing breakdowns per product or service
• Why your pricing is higher or lower than your competition's
• (If higher) Why customers would be willing to pay more
• (If lower) How you're able to offer your products or services at a lower cost
• When you expect to break even, what margins do you expect, etc?

8. Financials

This section is particularly informative for investors and leadership teams to determine funding strategies, investment opportunities, etc. According to Forbes , you'll want to include three main things:

• Profit/Loss Statement - This answers the question of whether your business is currently profitable.
• Cash Flow Statement - This details exactly how much cash is incoming and outgoing to provide insight into how much cash a business has on hand.
• Balance Sheet - This outlines assets, liabilities, and equity, which gives insight into how much a business is worth.

While some business plans might include more or less information, these are the key details you'll want to include.

Keep in mind that each of these sections will be formatted differently. Some may be in paragraph format, while others will be in charts.

Sample Business Plan Templates

Now that you know what's included and how to format a business plan, let's review some templates.

1. HubSpot's One-Page Business Plan

Download a free, editable one-page business plan template..

The business plan linked above was created here at HubSpot and is perfect for businesses of any size — no matter how many strategies we still have to develop.

Fields such as Company Description, Required Funding, and Implementation Timeline gives this one-page business plan a framework for how to build your brand and what tasks to keep track of as you grow. Then, as the business matures, you can expand on your original business plan with a new iteration of the above document.

Why We Like It

This one-page business plan is a fantastic choice for the new business owner who doesn’t have the time or resources to draft a full-blown business plan. It includes all the essential sections in an accessible, bullet-point-friendly format. That way, you can get the broad strokes down before honing in on the details.

2. HubSpot's Downloadable Business Plan Template

One of the major business expenses is marketing. How you handle your marketing reflects your company’s revenue. We included this business plan to show you how you can ensure your marketing team is aligned with your overall business plan to get results. The plan also shows you how to track even the smallest metrics of your campaigns, like ROI and payback periods instead of just focusing on big metrics like gross and revenue.

Fintech startup, LiveFlow, allows users to sync real-time data from its accounting services, payment platforms, and banks into custom reports. This eliminates the task of pulling reports together manually, saving teams time and helping automate workflows.

When it came to including marketing strategy into its business plan, LiveFlow created a separate marketing profit and loss statement (P&L) to track how well the company was doing with its marketing initiatives. This is a great approach, allowing businesses to focus on where their marketing dollars are making the most impact.

“Using this framework over a traditional marketing plan will help you set a profitable marketing strategy taking things like CAC, LTV, Payback period, and P&L into consideration,” explains LiveFlow co-founder, Lasse Kalkar .

Having this information handy will enable you to build out your business plan’s marketing section with confidence. LiveFlow has shared the template here . You can test it for yourself.

2. Lula Body

This fictional business plan for an art supply store includes everything one might need in a business plan: an executive summary, a company summary, a list of services, a market analysis summary, and more. Due to its comprehensiveness, it’s an excellent example to follow if you’re opening a brick-and-mortar store and need to get external funding to start your business .

One of its most notable sections is its market analysis summary, which includes an overview of the population growth in the business’ target geographical area, as well as a breakdown of the types of potential customers they expect to welcome at the store. This sort of granular insight is essential for understanding and communicating your business’s growth potential. Plus, it lays a strong foundation for creating relevant and useful buyer personas .

It’s essential to keep this information up-to-date as your market and target buyer changes. For that reason, you should carry out market research as often as possible to ensure that you’re targeting the correct audience and sharing accurate information with your investors.

6. Curriculum Companion Suites (CSS)

If you’re looking for a SaaS business plan example, look no further than this business plan for a fictional educational software company called Curriculum Companion Suites. Like the business plan for the NALB Creative Center, it includes plenty of information for prospective investors and other key stakeholders in the business.

One of the most notable features of this business plan is the executive summary, which includes an overview of the product, market, and mission. The first two are essential for software companies because the product offering is so often at the forefront of the company’s strategy. Without that information being immediately available to investors and executives, then you risk writing an unfocused business plan.

It’s also essential to front-load your company’s mission if it explains your “Why?” In other words, why do you do what you do, and why should stakeholders care? This is an important section to include if you feel that your mission will drive interest in the business and its offerings.

7. Culina Sample Business Plan

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What is a Business Plan? Definition, Tips, and Templates

6 Reasons You Really Need to Write A Business Plan

2 Essential Templates For Starting Your Business

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• Building Your Business
• Becoming an Owner
• Business Plans

Simple Business Plan Template for Entrepreneurs

Follow this business plan outline to write your own.

Susan Ward wrote about small businesses for The Balance for 18 years. She has run an IT consulting firm and designed and presented courses on how to promote small businesses.

Pros and Cons of Using a Business Plan Template

Do i need a simple or detailed business plan, how to use this business plan template, table of contents, section 1: executive summary, section 2: business/industry overview.

• Section 3: Market Analysis and Competition

Section 4: Sales and Marketing Plan

Section 5: ownership and management plan, section 6: operating plan, section 7: financial plan.

• Section 8: Appendices and Exhibits

Ariel Skelley / Getty Images

Think you have a great idea for a business? The best way to find out whether your idea is feasible is to create a business plan .

A solid, well-researched business plan provides a practical overview of your vision. It can be used to ground your ideas into workable actions and to help pitch your idea to financial institutions or potential investors when looking for funding.

The standard business plan consists of a single document divided into several sections for distinct elements, such as a description of the organization, market research, competitive analysis, sales strategies, capital and labor requirements, and financial data. Your plan may include more or fewer sections to best represent your business.

The template presented here will get you well on your way toward your simple business plan.

Ready-made layouts

Free downloads

Generic, not customized

No financial guidance

Additional skills needed

• Ready-made layouts : Templates offer general guidance about what information is needed and how to organize it, so you’re not stuck looking at a blank page when getting started. Especially detailed templates may offer instructions or helpful text prompts along the way.
• Variations : If you know what type of business plan you need—traditional, lean, industry-specific—chances are you can find a specialized template.
• Free downloads : There are many free business plan templates available online, which can be useful for comparing formats and features, or refining your own.
• Generic, not customized : Templates typically contain just the basics, and there will still be a lot of work involved to tailor the template to your business. For instance, you'll have to reformat, refine copy, and populate tables.
• No financial guidance : You’ll need enough industry knowledge to apply financial models to your specific business, and the math skills to generate formulas and calculate figures.
• Additional skills needed : Some degree of tech savvy is required to integrate charts and graphs, merge data from spreadsheets, and keep it all up-to-date.

A corporate business plan for a large organization can be hundreds of pages long. However, for a small business, it's best to keep the plan short and concise, especially if you're submitting it to bankers or investors . Around 35 to 50 pages should be sufficient, and more allowed for extras, such as photos of products, equipment, logos, or business premises or site plans.  Your audience will likely prefer solid research and analysis over long, wordy descriptions.

An entrepreneur who creates a business plan is nearly twice as likely to secure financing and grow their business compared with those who do not have a plan.

The business plan template below is divided into sections as described in the table of contents. Each section can be copied into a document of your own; you may need to add or delete sections or make adjustments to fit your specific needs.

Once complete, be sure to format it attractively and get it professionally printed and bound. You want your business plan to convey the best possible impression. Make it engaging, something people will to want to pick up and peruse.

Enter your business information, including the legal name and address. If you already have a business logo, you can add it at the top or bottom of the title page.

• Business Plan for "Business Name"
• Business address
• Website URL

If you're addressing it to a company or individual, include:

• Presented to "Name"
• At "Company"
• Executive Summary................................................Page #
• Business/Industry Overview.................................Page #
• Market Analysis and Competition.........................Page #
• Sales and Marketing Plan.......................................Page #
• Ownership and Management Plan.......................Page #
• Operating Plan..........................................................Page #
• Financial Plan............................................................Page #
• Appendices and Exhibits........................................Page #

The  executive summary introduces the plan, but it is written last. It provides a concise and optimistic overview of your business and should capture the reader's attention and create a desire to learn more. The executive summary should be no more than two pages long, with highlights or brief summaries of other sections of the plan.

• Describe your  mission —what is the need for your new business? Sell your vision.
• Introduce your company briefly, sticking to vital details such as size, location, management, and ownership.
• Describe your main product(s) and/or service(s).
• Identify the customer base you plan to target and how your business will serve those customers.
• Summarize the competition and how you will get market share. What is your competitive advantage?
• Outline your financial projections for the first few years of operation.
• State your startup financing requirements.

This section provides an overview of the industry and explains in detail what makes your business stand out.

• Describe the overall nature of the industry, including sales and other statistics. Note trends and demographics, as well as economic, cultural, and governmental influences.
• Explain your business and how it fits into the industry.
• Mention the existing competition, which you'll expand upon in the following section.
• Identify what area(s) of the market you will target and what unique, improved, or lower-cost products and/or services you will offer.

Many business plans cover their products/services in a standalone section to add more detail or emphasize unique aspects.

Section 3: Market Analysis and Competition

This section focuses on the competitive factor of your business and justifies it with financial models and statistics. You need to demonstrate that you have thoroughly analyzed the target market, assessed the competition, and concluded that there is enough demand for your products/services to make your business viable.

• Define the target market(s) for your products/services in your geographic locale.
• Explain the need for your products/services.
• Estimate the overall size of the market and the units of your products/services that the target market might buy. Include forecasts of potential repeat-purchase volume and how the market might be affected by economic or demographic changes.
• Estimate the volume and value of your sales in comparison with any existing competitors. Highlight any key strengths over the competition in easily digestible charts and tables.
• Describe any helpful barriers to entry that may protect your business from competition, such as access to capital, technology, regulations, employee skill sets, or location.  

You may opt to split the target market description and competitive analysis into two separate sections, if either (or both) portray your business especially favorably.

Here's where you dive into profits, giving detailed strategic view of how you intend to entice customers to buy your products and/or services, including advertising or promotion, pricing, sales, distribution, and post-sales support.

Product or Service Offerings

If your products and/or services don't take up a standalone section earlier in the plan, here is where you can answer the question: What is your unique selling proposition? Describe your products and/or services, how they benefit the customer and what sets them apart from competitor offerings.

Pricing Strategy

How will you price your products/services? Pricing must be low enough to attract customers, yet high enough to cover costs and generate a profit. You can base pricing decisions on a number of financial models, such as markup from cost or value to the buyer, or in comparison with similar products and/or services in the marketplace.  

Sales and Distribution

For products, describe how you plan to distribute to the customer. Will you be selling wholesale or retail? What type of packaging will be required? How will products be shipped? If you offer a service, how will it be delivered to the customer? What methods will be used for payment?

Advertising and Promotion

List the various forms of media you will use to get your message to customers (e.g., website, email, social media, or newspapers). Will you use sales promotional methods such as free samples and product demonstrations? What about product launches and trade shows? Don't forget more everyday marketing materials such as business cards, flyers, or brochures. Include an approximate budget.

This section describes the legal structure, ownership, and (if applicable) management and staffing requirements of your business.

• Ownership structure : Describe the legal structure of your company (e.g., corporation, partnership, LLC, or  sole proprietorship ). List ownership percentages, if applicable. If the business is a sole proprietorship, this is the only section required.
• Management team : Describe managers and their roles, key employee positions, and how each will be compensated. Include brief résumés.
• External resources and services : List any external professional resources required, such as accountants, lawyers, or consultants.
• Human resources : List the type and number of employees or contractors you will need, and estimate the salary and benefit costs of each.
• Advisory board : Include an advisory board as a supplemental management resource, if applicable.

The operating plan outlines the physical requirements of your business, such as office, warehouse, or retail space; equipment; supplies; or labor. This section will vary greatly by industry; a large manufacturer, for instance, should provide full details about supply chain or specialty equipment, while a therapist's office can get by with a much shorter list.

If your business is a small operation (like a one-person, home-based consulting firm), you might choose to eliminate the operating plan section altogether and include the operating essentials in the business overview.

• Development : Explain what you have done to date to identify possible locations, sources of equipment, supply chains, and other relevant relationships. Describe your production workflow.
• Production : For manufacturing, explain how long it takes to produce a unit and when you'll be ready to start production. Include factors that may affect the time frame of production and how you'll deal with potential problems, such as rush orders.
• Facilities : Describe the physical location of the business. Include geographical or building requirements; square footage estimates (with room for expansion if expected); mortgage or leasing costs; and estimates of maintenance, utilities, and related  overhead costs . Include zoning approvals and other permissions that are necessary in order to operate.
• Staffing : Outline expected staffing needs and the main duties of staff members, especially the key employees. Describe how the employees will be sourced and the employment relationship (i.e., contract, full-time, part-time) as well as any training needs and how these will be provided.
• Equipment : Include a list of any specialized equipment needed, along with cost, whether it will be leased or purchased, and sources.
• Supplies : If your business is, for example, manufacturing, retail, or food services, include a description of the materials needed, reliable sources, major suppliers, and how you will manage inventory.

The financial plan is the most important section for lenders or investors. The goal is to demonstrate that your business will grow and be profitable. To do this, you will need to create realistic predictions or forecasts.

To avoid inflated expectations, a prudent financial plan underestimates revenues and overestimates expenses.

• Income statements : The income statement displays projected revenues, expenses, and profit. Do this on a monthly basis for at least the first year for a startup business.
• Cash-flow projections : The cash-flow projection shows your monthly anticipated cash revenues and disbursements for expenses. To be considered a good credit risk, it is important to demonstrate that you can manage your cash flow.
• Balance sheet : The  balance sheet  is a snapshot summary of the assets, liabilities, and equity of your business at a particular point in time. For a startup, this would be on the day the business opens.
• Breakeven analysis : Including a breakeven analysis will demonstrate to lenders or investors what level of sales you need to achieve to make a profit.

Section 8: Appendices and Exhibits

The appendices and exhibits section contains any detailed information needed to support other sections of the plan.  

Possible Appendix or Exhibit items include:

• Credit histories for the business owners
• Detailed market research and analysis of competitors
• Résumés of the owners and key employees
• Diagrams and/or research about your products and/or services
• Site, building, or office plans
• Copies of mortgage documents or equipment leases (or quotes)
• Marketing brochures and other materials
• References from business colleagues
• Links to your business website
• Any other material that may impress potential lenders or investors

SCORE. " Business Plan Template for a Startup Business ." Accessed April 28, 2021.

U.S. Small Business Administration. " Write your business plan ." Accessed April 28, 2021.

U.S. Small Business Administration. " SBA Recommended Business Plans and Length ." Accessed April 28, 2021.

Bplans. " Why Plan Your Business? Look at This Data ." Accessed April 28, 2021.

Marketing MO. " Pricing Strategy ." Accessed April 28, 2021.

Incorporate.com. " Write a Business Plan, a Step-by-Step Guide ." Accessed April 29, 2021.

Startup Nation. " The Five Costs You're Most Likely to Underestimate in Your Business Plan ." Accessed April 28, 2021.

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Business Plan Excel

– Modèles de documents innovants sur tableur –

Simple Excel business plan template, free

Simple Excel business plan template free : here is an friendly and easy-to-use BP for your company project. Download it now with one simple click!

Every entrepreneur knows that making a business plan  is a staple when starting a new business, especially if you’re looking for funding.

The quality and relevance of your financial plan will determine the positive or negative response from your bank, money lenders or private investors.

It’s not so easy to make a business plan. You can go through an chartered accountant or write it by yourself.

Actually, it’s good to try to create financial projections by yourself in order to train yourself. It will help you to understand the ins and outs of such a document.

To help you with this exercise, we have created a unique and simple Excel business plan template , easy to understand and use, while respecting the financial rules.

Whether you have a financial profile or not, whether you master accounting or not, this document is made for you. All you will have to do is fill in the blue cells .

This document is the perfect opportunity to ask yourself the right questions about your business model.

The Excel file available below can be downloaded  without registration , with one simple click, for free. The estimated filling time is 15 minutes.

Click below to download your free Simple Excel business plan. You won’t need to register or to leave your e-mail address.

Simple Excel business plan template: download it now, it’s free!

Click below to download your free 3-year  simple Excel business plan template:

Before starting to use it, please read the following.

The document has two main sheets:

• in the  first sheet,  you will have to fill in the cells to with your data, personal info and figures. Carefully read the mentions and the messages that appear next to the cells, this is the key to success,
• your business plan will appear in the  second sheet : all you have to do is print it!

Free Excel financial plan: how to fill it out?

Let’s go  step by step . It is important that you understand how a 3-year business plan is made.

You will have to ask yourself a few very important questions.

1) What are your startup needs?

This is the first step in order to efficiently use your simple Excel business plan. Let’s start costing out the  expenses  and  investments  that you will have  to make beforehand , that means before starting the activity.

These expenses are made once and for all: they will not appear again in the following months. These are start-up costs, which prepare the launch of your business.

List all the expenses and investments exclusing VAT, e.g. :

• Business registration,
• Patent, trademark and design rights,
• Franchise fees, entry fees,
• Acquisition of business goodwill,
• Leasehold rights,
• Lease deposit and advance rent,
• Application fee,
• Solicitor and accountant fees,
• Advertising, first promotion costs,
• Office purchase,
• Restoration works,
• Equipment, tools, vehicles,
• Office equipment,
• Raw materials and supplies,
• Starting cash flow, additional cash,

Try to list the expenses without forgetting anything. Also plan a  starting cash flow as it is important to start your business with a bit of money on your bank account.

Regarding the  depreciation period of the goods and equipments that you’re about to buy, you can write 5 years for example. That means you think the equipments will last 5 years, so you will have to replace them in 5 years time. Their cost will therefore be spread over 5 years.

2) How will you finance your startup costs?

It is now about financing all the expenses you have listed above. You have to cover exactly the needs.

Indicate your startup capital. Typical financing sources are : personal contribution, family money (“love money”), bank borrowing, etc.

In case of financial gap, an alert will appear in red .

3) What are your current expenses?

This is an important part of your simple Excel business plan. In this part you will have to list your current expenses. These costs are returning costs, in other words recurring expenses like :

• Postage, telephone, internet hosting,
• Subscriptions,
• Motor vehicule expenses,
• Travel expenses,
• Electricity, water and gas,
• Transport/courier cost,
• Stationery,
• Repairs and maintenance,
• Advertising,
• Rental costs,
• Accounting / legal fees & costs,
• Bank charges,

Fill out this table for the first three years of activity. Plan for an increase from one year to the next.

Add other charge labels if necessary.

4) What level of turnover?

Turnover is sales . To help you estimate the sales for your first year of activity, we suggest that you enter an average turnover per day, which will be multiplied by the number of days worked each month.

You will have to make a distinction between sale of goods and sale of services . Sale of goods implies purchase of raw materials (or products for resale), and therefore a sales margin (see below).

You will also have to define a percentage increase in sales from one year to the next: be realistic not pessimistic.

Note:  Month 1 is the first month of activity, not the first month of the calendar year.

5) What are your variable costs?

Variable costs are corporate expenses that vary in direct proportion to the quantity of sales. Unlike fixed costs, which remain constant regardless of output, variable costs are a direct function of production volume. Examples of common variable costs include raw materials, packaging, distribution costs…

All you have to do is indicate the average cost of goods, as a percentage of the sell price.

For example, if you spend $3 to produce a jar of jam that you will resell $6, you should indicate 50%.

Another example, if you buy phone cases for $7.5 and resell them for $10, you should indicate 75%.

If you sell services only, this box does not apply to you.

6) What is your working capital need?

“Working capital” is one of the important financial concepts you will find in this simple Excel business plan template.

Working capital represents the difference between a company’s current assets and current liabilities

This concept is about the risk of gap regarding financial flows coming in and out.

Indeed, even if your activity is profitable (comfortable margin, low fixed costs), you could experience financial difficulties if you have to pay your suppliers before your customers pay you. This lag could increase further if you have to store your goods for a long period or time before processing and selling them.

Here, enter the average duration of customer credits and supplier liabilities.

7) What wages will you have to pay?

Try to estimate the  wages  you will have to pay as well as your own remuneration and social costs/insurance. Be careful, your staff size must be in-line with the turnover you expect!

When finished, go to the next sheet and have a look at your free simple Excel business plan!

Well done !

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Business plan template in PDF

Write a business plan and start growing your business.

Create your business plan

A strong business plan is your roadmap to success. Use our downloadable free business plan template PDF to outline your company’s goals and milestones, including how to structure, run, and grow your new business.

Bring on investors or new business partners

Use your powerful business plan to get funding or bring on new business partners. Show investors how you expect to develop and grow your company - and ensure they get a healthy return on their investment.

Connect across borders with Wise Business

Open a Wise Business account online, with no monthly fees to worry about - and cut the costs of managing money across borders.

What is a business plan?

You can think of your business plan as the roadmap for managing and growing your business. It’s a dynamic document which evolves and changes over time, and covers your value proposition, your operating plans and the sort of support you need to succeed.

Your business plan is a key document to get funding or bring on new partners and investors. By setting out your opportunities, aims and milestones, you’ll show how and why your company is a strong investment prospect.

For startups in particular, investors want to learn why the founders are the right people to do the job, and what money is needed to get the business off the ground. The business plan will also walk through the planned steps to move from startup to scaleup - and on to solid profitability.

Open a Wise Business account online and in just a few minutes.

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You can also integrate your Wise account with Xero online accounting tools to reconcile payments and produce balance sheets - saving time as well as money.

Doing business in multiple currencies?

Try Wise Business .

Download a blank business plan template in PDF.

Successful entrepreneurs invest time in planning the way they will build, manage and grow their business. Use our smart, simple templates to write your business plan, and get ready to see your enterprise flourish.

Download the business plan template - PDF format - and use the questions, tables, and suggested content to build your unique plan. You’ll find all the key elements of a traditional business plan, plus a section specifically for startups using the business plan to attract investment.

Download the free business plan template in PDF

Create an impactful plan using additional financial documents, projections and forecasts - and your balance sheet, cash flow statement and income statement if available. Use our templates to create your financial statements and add them to your business plan for extra depth.

More related financial templates .

Business plan format

Each business plan is unique. Build your own plan by choosing the sections of a traditional business plan which suit your business and your needs. Here are the key segments to consider:

1. Executive summary : Make it easy for the reader by pulling out the key information in simple, impactful terms. Cover the company’s product and niche, mission statement, leadership, employees, operations, financial projections and location.

2. Company Description : Paint a picture of your company. Show who your customer is and what problem you solve. Explain what makes you special, and well placed to exceed in your niche.

3. Market analysis : Set out the current state of your industry, and relevant market trends. Give details about the broad opportunities and threats, key competitors and likely changes to demand. Don’t forget to talk about how you will grow the market, or take market share from pre-existing businesses.

4. Products and services : Now it’s time to go into more detail about what you do. Set out the products or services you provide, covering the pricing, consumer benefits and profit margins. If you’re selling a physical product you’ll need to walk through the supply and production process.

5. Marketing and sales strategy : Where are your customers and how will you connect with them? Explain how you encourage repeat sales, and how you’ll make use of traditional and innovative advertising and marketing strategies. Don’t forget to cover the practicalities of actually closing a sale - for example, which ecommerce or POS platform you’ll use.

6. Organization and management : Lay out the legal structure of your business - and the organizational structure of your leadership team. If you’re seeking funding, remember that investors invest in founders as much as they do business ideas. You need to show how each of your leaders can contribute to the success of your venture.

7. Financial plan : Adding in financial plans and projections can give depth and show opportunities for scale to your potential investors. If you have an established business, you’ll be able to use live documents such as income statements , balance sheets , and other financial information. New businesses should provide targets and estimates instead, showing the rationale and assumptions used.

8. Funding request and budget : A crucial section if you're asking for funding. Explain your 5-year funding requirements, and cover how you’ll use the capital you raise to boost profit. Show you’re a solid investment by providing a budget to cover staffing, development, manufacturing and marketing costs. Don’t forget to disclose any future plans to raise funds, or any known capital expenditures which are coming up.

9. Appendices : Depending on your business type, and how you’re using your business plan, you may want to provide supporting documents. These could include founder resumes, product descriptions and pictures, legal paperwork, references, licenses, permits, or patents.

Related business templates to add to your business plan.

Balance sheet template

Download our balance sheet template to give a comprehensive overview of how your business is doing. Investors use financial statements like these to compare investment options - so a smart and simple balance sheet is a great appendix to your business plan.

Profit and loss statement template

Use our handy template to create your profit and loss statement. Whether you know it as an income statement, P&L, or statement of operations, this is the document you need to add to your business plan to show profitability and predict future performance.

Cash flow statement template

Download our cash flow statement template and complete it to add to your business plan. Cash flow statements show you’re generating a profit, and investing it wisely - key considerations when attracting investors and partners into your business.

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Professional Business Plan Samples

Discover 14 expert-vetted real-world business plan examples PDF from different industries to help you write your own business plan. 

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View or download real business plan samples.

If you are planning to start a business from scratch , you will likely be advised to write a business plan. If you’ve never written a business plan, how can you determine the elements to include?

Thus, we will show you some real-world business plan examples PDF so you may know how to write your own, especially if you are seeking a bank loan or an outside investment and need to use SBA-approved formatting. Each sample business plan PDF is viewable and downloadable.

14 free expert vetted business plan examples PDF

Our sample business plans are complete and Incorporate all of the sections that bankers and investors hope to see. Each example of a business plan includes the following key sections:

• Executive Summary: A quick and brief introduction to your business plan. It includes a summary of your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.
• Company Overview : Details about your company ownership, where your business is based, how large the company is, what you do, and what you desire to achieve.
• Market Analysis : Describes the industry you plan to sell your product or service in, including statistics to support your claims.
• Products and Services : Reviews what you sell and what you’re offering your clients. How it will rival other businesses selling the same or similar products and services.
• Marketing Plan :  Promotional strategy to introduce your business to the world and drive sales.
• Operational Plan : Provides the details of how you turn strategies and plans into actions in order to achieve key objectives and goals.
• Management Team : Describes your management team, staff, resources, and why they’re the right team to make the business a success.
• Financial Plan : Composed of four financial statements: the income statement , the cash flow statement , the balance sheet , and the statement of shareholders’ equity.

Section-by-section examples of business plans

Business plans usually describe how an organization is going to achieve its goals. Below are real-world examples of each section of a business plan to help you see how these sections fit together to form a successful business plan.

• Executive summary

An Executive Summary summarizes the entire business plan. Be brief, don’t go into details. An effective summary should be no longer than two pages.

A good executive summary describes the problem you’re solving, your product or service, your target market, your team, your financials, and your funding needs (if you’re seeking funding).

Here is an example executive summary from our business plan template for Eplace Solution , an innovative e-commerce portal.

You can find more tips on how to write an effective executive summary by checking out our guide.

Company Overview

This section provides an overview of your small business.

It includes the business name, business structure, names of key people in the company, the history of the company, its nature, and details about the products or services it offers or will offer.

In addition, you can reuse your company description on your About page, Instagram page, or other properties that ask for a boilerplate description of your business.

This section also allows you to describe how you register your business . Here you must choose whether your business is a corporation, sole proprietorship, LLC , or another type of business .

• Market analysis

A market analysis analyzes how you are positioned in the market, who your target customers are, what your product or service will offer them, and industry trends.

It might be useful to do a SWOT analysis to discover your strengths and weaknesses to identify market gaps that you may be able to exploit to build your business.

As part of your market research, you’ll also need to perform a competitive analysis. It will give you an idea of who your competition is and how to differentiate your brand. Here’s an example of a competitive analysis we did for a food business.

• Products and services

Adding products and services to a business plan involves more than listing your company’s offerings. If you intend to gain funding or partner with another business, your products, and services section needs to demonstrate your company’s quality, value, and benefits.

Here’s an example of a product and service section in the business plan we wrote for an e-commerce business that offers wedding accessories.

Marketing and sales plan

It is always a good idea to have a marketing plan before launching your business.

A potential investor will want to know how you will advertise your business. Therefore, you should create a marketing plan that explains your planned promotion and customer acquisition strategies. 

Discuss how you will make a sale. How will you attract customers and maximize their lifetime value? Ensure your marketing and sales forecasts align with your financial forecasts

Marketing plans are usually based on the four Ps : product, price, place, and promotion. Breaking it down by marketing channels makes it easier. Discuss how you intend to market your business via blogs, email, social media, and word-of-mouth. 

Here is an example of marketing strategies we develop for a restaurant business.

Operations Planning

The operation plan should include all the steps needed to run the business in the long run. 

The plan should include details about logistics, duties for each department of the company, and responsibilities for the team.

The main aspect of running a business is its costs. Whether it’s machinery or services, each requires capital.

Pro Tips: Learn how to write an operation plan in a business plan

Organization & management

In this section, you can describe your current team and the people you need to hire. You will need to highlight your team’s relevant experience if you intend to seek funding. Basically, this is where you demonstrate that this team can be successful in starting and growing the business.

Financial plan

A financial plan should include sales and revenue forecasts, profit and loss statements , cash flow statements , and balance sheets .

Now, if you plan to pitch investors or submit a loan application, you’ll also need a “use of funds” report. Here you outline how you plan to leverage any funding you might acquire for your business.

With our business templates , you can create your own income statement, cash flow statement, and balance sheet.

1. Online Marketplace Business Plan Sample/Business Plan Example PDF

EPlace Solutions will be an innovative online marketplace business portal offering a variety of products to consumers throughout the globe. Founded by Mr. John Jones , a seasoned business visionary with an eye toward profit and achievement, the organization is set to enter the market in 2023.

Online shopping is at an all-time high with new consumer mindsets calling for them to shop for the types of deals and bargains that will be so much a part of the online marketplace business model.

Our online marketplace business plan sample includes a detailed analysis of the market and competitive landscape, as well as a clear strategy for attracting and retaining customers.

It also includes a comprehensive financial plan that outlines the revenue model, expenses, and growth projections. We like this sample plan because it demonstrates how to build a scalable, technology-driven business with a strong focus on customer satisfaction.

2. Ecommerce Plan Sample/Business Plan Example PDF

Something borrowed something new is an emerging e-Commerce business providing wedding accessories and personalized gifts. This drop shipping business model has the potential to take the market by storm.

In addition, social networking and blogging may be used to drive awareness and interest, giving something old and something new a comprehensive online marketing model.

Our ecommerce plan sample includes a detailed product or service description, a market analysis, and a marketing strategy that leverages social media and search engine optimization. It also includes a financial plan that outlines the startup costs, revenue projections, and break-even analysis.

We like this sample plan because it demonstrates how to build a profitable ecommerce business by leveraging digital marketing and a low-cost supply chain.

However, don’t just copy the business plan sample. The purpose of writing a business plan is to actually research and find out more about the business venture that you have in mind.

3. Coffee Shop Business Plan Sample/Business Plan Example PDF

A coffee shop business plan is a document that outlines what your business idea is and how it will be implemented. Its purpose is to answer questions such as what it costs to start a coffee shop, how these costs will be financed, and how much money you can expect to earn from your cafe.

Are you looking for the right business plan for your cafe? Let’s review the Coffee shop business plan sample to find out how cloud-based software can make your day-to-day work more efficient.

Our coffee shop business plan sample includes a detailed description of the products and services offered, as well as a market analysis and competitive analysis.

It also includes a financial plan that outlines the startup costs, revenue projections, and break-even analysis. We like this sample plan because it demonstrates how to build a profitable coffee shop business by creating a unique brand and offering high-quality products a nd customer service.

4. Snack Bar Business Plan Sample/Business Plan Example PDF

There is an increasing demand for snack-type fast food to be consumed while window shopping and walking around inside a shopping mall.

Do you plan to start a snack bar business? Then here’s a complete snack bar startup business plan template and feasibility report you can use FREE of charge. It sounds easy to open a snack bar, but in reality, you need well-planned strategies to ensure that your business stands the test of time.

Our snack bar business plan sample includes a detailed description of the products and services offered, as well as a market a nalysis and competitive analysis.

It also includes a financial plan that outlines the startup costs, revenue projections, and break-even analysis. We like this sample plan because it demonstrates how to build a profitable snack bar business by creating a unique menu and offering healthy, high-quality snac ks that meet custome r demand.

Your snack shop business plan can look as polished and professional as the sample plan. It’s fun and easy, with Wise Business Plan. Let’s review the snack shop business plan sample and adjust them according to your audience for the best results.

5. Printing Shop Business Plan Sample/Business Plan Example PDF

When establishing a think tank, you will need to develop a business plan and document it properly. As a mass think tank, you need a special strategy to legalize the think tank as a non-profit organization and to raise funds for your project successfully.

Copy and print businesses offer a variety of services to both businesses and consumers. A copy and print shop can handle everything from single-page printing to large-volume jobs using several types of media.

Our printing shop business plan sample includes a detailed description of the products and services offered, as well as a market analysis and competitive analysis. It also includes a financial plan that outlines the startup costs, revenue projections, and break-even analysis. We like this sample plan because it demonstrates how to build a profitable printing shop business by offering high-quality, customized printing services with a focus on customer s ervice and efficient operations.

Let’s take a look at Printing and Photocopy Business Plan Sample that you can use to inspire your own and easily create one.

6. Food Hall Business Plan Sample/Business Plan Example PDF

In the food industry, there is fierce competition. To ensure success, you need to hit the ground running with the right pitch. Our food house business plan is the ideal solution with an attractive design highlighting key information and conveying the right message.

This food business plan example features food images intended to tantalize the taste buds. It captures the theme perfectly and will convey the ultimate message to investors, clients and customers.

It is important to remember that the business plan template can be customized to meet your company’s specific needs and requirements. It will help showcase your business as a leader in the modern industry.

This food business plan template provides key slides to showcase everything from finances to marketing and key competitors. If you prefer, you can alter the content displayed to meet your specific needs, but this is a good starting point.

Ultimately, this food house business plan will be suitable for any business operating in the food industry and keen to get interested from key individuals. It will ensure that you can build up the rep of your company.

We provide a one-of-a-kind sales pitch deck designed to appeal to your prospective audience, as well as a custom presentation tailored to their information requirements.

7. L-1 Visa Business Plan Sample/ Example PDF

At Wise Business Plans, we understand that obtaining an L1 visa for an executive or manager requires a thorough and compelling business plan.

Our L1 business plan sample includes all the necessary components to satisfy USCIS requirements and demonstrate your qualifications and your company’s viability in the US market.

The L1 business plan sample is a comprehensive plan for a new business seeking L1 visa approval for an executive or manager. This plan focuses on demonstrating the applicant’s qualifications and the company’s viability in the US market.

We like this sample plan because it is specific to the L1 visa process and includes all the necessary components to satisfy USCIS requirements.

8. Acquisition Business Plan Sample/ Example PDF

Acquiring another company or merging with a competitor can be a complex process, but Wise Business Plans can help you navigate it with ease. Our acquisition business plan sample includes an analysis of the target company, a valuation, and a strategy for integrating the acquired business into your existing operations, providing a clear roadmap for success.

The acquisition business plan sample is intended for businesses seeking to acquire another company or merge with a competitor. This plan includes an analysis of the target company, a valuation, and a strategy for integrating the acquired business into the existing operations. We like this sample plan because it provides a clear roadmap for the acquisition process and demonstrates the potential benefits of the deal.

9.EB-5 Business Plan Sample/ Example PDF

If you’re looking to obtain an EB-5 visa by investing in a new commercial enterprise in the United States, Wise Business Plans can help you create a compelling business plan.

Our EB-5 business plan sample includes a description of your business, a market analysis, and financial projections, providing a detailed and persuasive case for the potential success of your venture.

The EB-5 business plan sample is designed for individuals seeking to obtain an EB-5 visa by investing in a new commercial enterprise in the United States. This plan includes a description of the business, a market analysis, and financial projections. We like this sample plan because it provides a detailed and persuasive case for the potential success of the business, which is crucial for obtaining EB-5 visa approval.

10. E-2 Visa Business Plan Sample/ Example PDF

If you’re an entrepreneur seeking E-2 visa approval, Wise Business Plans can help you create a persuasive business plan.

Our E-2 business plan sample outlines your investment, business operations, and financial projections, providing a clear and compelling case for your ability to successfully run a business and make a significant economic impact.

The E-2 business plan sample is designed for entrepreneurs seeking E-2 visa approval, which allows individuals to invest in and manage a business in the United States. This plan outlines the applicant’s investment, business operations, and financial projections. We like this sample plan because it provides a clear and compelling case for the applicant’s ability to successfully run a business and make a significant economic impact.

11. Nonprofit Business Plan Sample/ Example PDF

At Wise Business Plans, we’re committed to helping non-profit organizations achieve their social impact goals.

Our non-profit business plan sample includes a mission statement, programs and services, marketing and outreach strategies, and a financial analysis, providing a clear roadmap for establishing or expanding your organization.

The non-profit business plan sample is designed for organizations seeking to establish or expand a non-profit entity. This plan includes a mission statement, programs and services, marketing and outreach strategies, and a financial analysis. We like this sample plan because it demonstrates a strong commitment to social impact and outlines a clear strategy for achieving the organization’s goals.

12. Investor Business Plan Sample/ Example PDF

If you’re seeking investment from angel investors, venture capitalists, or other private equity firms, Wise Business Plans can help you create a compelling pitch.

Our investor business plan sample includes a pitch deck, financial projections, and a detailed analysis of the market opportunity, emphasizing the potential return on investment and the scalability of your business.

The investor business plan sample is intended for businesses seeking to attract investment from angel investors, venture capitalists, or other private equity firms. This plan includes a pitch deck, financial projections, and a detailed analysis of the market opportunity. We like this sample plan because it emphasizes the potential return on investment and the scalability of the business.

13. Cannabis Business Plan Sample/ Example PDF

The cannabis industry is rapidly growing, and Wise Business Plans can help you enter it with confidence.

Our cannabis business plan sample includes a market analysis, operational strategy, and regulatory compliance plan, providing a comprehensive overview of the unique challenges and opportunities in the industry and offering a clear roadmap for success.

The cannabis business plan sample is tailored for entrepreneurs seeking to enter the rapidly growing cannabis industry. This plan includes a market analysis, operational strategy, and regulatory compliance plan. We like this sample plan because it provides a comprehensive overview of the unique challenges and opportunities in the cannabis industry, and offers a clear roadmap for success.

14. Bank Business Plan Sample/ Example PDF

Whether you’re seeking financing from a bank or other financial institution, Wise Business Plans can help you create a detailed and persuasive business plan.

Our bank business plan sample includes a thorough financial analysis, market research, and a strategy for achieving profitability, highlighting the key factors that banks consider when evaluating loan applications.

The bank business plan sample is tailored for businesses seeking financing from a bank or other financial institution. This plan includes a detailed financial analysis, market research, and a strategy for achieving profitability. We like this sample plan because it highlights the key factors that banks consider when evaluating loan applications, and provides a strong case for the borrower’s ability to repay the loan.

What makes a great cover page for a business plan?

Visit our page on business plan cover page examples to download our free business plan cover page templates and create a beautiful cover page yourself.

Looking For The Right Business Plan Format?

Our sample business plans will provide you with a complete structure and format for your business plan, which will give you a head start on developing your document, so you won’t be stuck seeing an empty page and wondering what to write.

Simply going through the process of writing a business plan is one of its key benefits. If you sit down to write, you’ll naturally think about your startup costs, your target market , and any market analysis or research you’ll need to conduct. In addition to defining your position among your competitors, you will establish your goals and milestones.

You can see what should be included in a sample financial plan, but It is wrong to assume that a sample company’s financial projections will fit your own. If you need more resources to get you started, we recommend this guide on how to write a business plan.

In addition, you can download our 40+ free business plan templates covering a range of industries.

Utilize These Business Plan Examples PDF As a Business Management Tool

A business plan can help run your business 30 percent faster than one without it. It is important that you track your actual results against your financial forecast as part of your business planning process .

The plan will enable you to reinvest in your business when things are going well. If you don’t meet your goals, you may need to adjust your sales forecast or budget. 

Either way, tracking your progress in comparison to your plan is essential to helping you respond quickly to challenges and opportunities. it is one of the most useful steps you can take to grow your business.

Business Plan Examples For Students PDF

Are you an educator looking for real-life business plan examples for students?

With Wise Business Plans, you eliminate the hassle of making presentations and forecasting spreadsheets and teach what matters most.

Wise Business Plans offers a wide range of sample business plans that will help you demonstrate how planning looks in practice.

Best of all, your students can customize their plans according to the needs of their business and keep track of all short and long-term goals. Download or View business plan examples for students pdf for free.

Types Of Business Plans and Essential Components

A business plan cannot be written in a certain way. The objective is to make sure your plan meets your needs. There are different types of business plans, but these five are the most common.

1. One Page Business Plans: One-page business plans are short, compact, and to the point and are designed to make the plan easy to read at a glance. Make sure to include all of the sections, but truncate and summarize them:

One-Page Business Plans Outline

• One-time Expense Summary
• Market analysis: in-depth
• Product & Service Description
• Competitor Analysis
• SWOT Analysis
• Financial Projections

2. Business plans for start-ups: Start-up business plans are for businesses that are just getting started. They are usually developed to secure outside funding. In this regard, financials are of increased importance, as well as other sections that determine whether your business idea is viable, such as market research.

Startup Business Plans Outline

3. Strategic Business Plans: A strategic business plan lays out a company’s goals and how it will achieve them at a high level. It is a foundational document for the company as a whole.

A strategic business plan allows all levels of the business to see the big picture, inspiring employees to work together to reach the company’s goals. You should include all the sections of a standard business plan and build on each one.

Strategic Business Plans Outline

• Company description
• Products and services: for launch and expansion
• Marketing plan
• Logistics and operations plan: 
• Financials Projection

4. Feasibility Business Plans: Developing a feasibility plan answers two primary questions about a business venture: who would purchase the service or product the company wants to sell, and if the venture is profitable.

Feasibility Business Plans Outline

• Logistics and operations plan

5. Internal Business Plans: are geared to a specific audience within a company to keep your team on the same page and focused on the same goals.

Internal Business Plans Outline