Free Startup Business Plan Templates and Examples

By Joe Weller | May 6, 2020

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In this article, we’ve rounded up a variety of the top, professionally designed startup business plan templates, all of which are free to download in PDF, Word, and Excel formats.

Included on this page, you’ll find a one-page startup business plan template , a business plan outline template for startups , a startup business planning template with a timeline , and a sample startup business plan .

Startup Business Plan Template

it startup business plan template

Download Startup Business Plan Template - Word

Word | Smartsheet

This startup business plan template contains the essential components you need to convey your business idea and strategy to investors and stakeholders, but you can customize this template to fit your needs. The template provides room to include an executive summary, a financial overview, a marketing strategy, details on product or service offerings, and more.

One-Page Startup Business Plan Template

One Page Business Plan For Start Up Template

Download One-Page Startup Business Plan Template

Excel | Word | PDF

This one-page business plan is ideal for startup companies that want to document and organize key business concepts. The template offers an easy-to-scan layout that’s ideal for investors and stakeholders. Use this plan to create a high-level view of your business idea and as a reference as you flesh out a more detailed roadmap for your business.

For additional resources, visit " Free One-Page Business Plan Templates with a Quick How-To Guide ."

Simple Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan Template for Startups

Simple Fill In The Blank Business Plan Template

Download Simple Fill-in-the-Blank Business Plan Template for Startups

This comprehensive fill-in-the-blank business plan template is designed to guide entrepreneurs through the process of building a startup business plan. This template comes with a customizable cover page and table of contents, and each section includes sample content that you can modify to fit the needs of your business. For more fill-in business templates, read our  "Free Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan Templates"  article.

Lean Business Plan Template for Startups

Lean Business Plan Templates for Startups

Download Lean Business Plan Template for Startups

This Lean business plan template takes a traditional business plan outline and extracts the most essential elements. Use this template to outline your company and industry overview, convey the problem you are solving, identify customer segments, highlight key performance metrics, and list a timeline of key activities.

Business Plan Outline Template for Startups

Simple Business Plan Outline Template

Download Business Plan Outline Template for Startups

You can use this business plan outline as a basis to create your own business plan. This template contains all the elements of a traditional business plan, including a title page, a table of contents, and information on what to include in each section. Simplify or expand this outline based on the size and needs of your startup business.

Startup Business Planning Template with Timeline

Simple Business Planning Template with Timeline

Download Startup Business Planning Template with Timeline

Excel | Smartsheet

As you create your business plan, this business planning template doubles as a schedule and timeline to track the progress of key activities. This template enables you to break down your plan into phases and provides space to include key tasks and dates for each task. For a visual timeline, shade in the cells according to each task’s start and end dates. The timeline ensures that your plan stays on track.

Business Plan Rubric Template for Startups

it startup business plan template

Download Business Plan Rubric Template for Startups

Excel | Word | PDF | Smartsheet

If you’re starting a business and want to keep all your ducks in a row, use this rubric to evaluate and score each aspect of your startup business plan. You can tailor this template to the needs of your specific business, and can also highlight areas of your plan that require improvement or expansion. Use this template as a tool to make sure your plan is clear, articulate, and organized. A sharp, insightful, well thought-out plan will definitely get the attention of potential investors and partners.

For additional resources to help support your business planning efforts, check out “Free Startup Plan, Budget, and Cost Templates.”

What’s the Best Business Plan Template for Startups?

The template you choose for your startup business depends on a number of factors, including the size and specific needs of your company. Moreover, as your business grows and your objectives change, you will need to adjust your plan (and possibly your choice of template) accordingly. 

Some entrepreneurs find it useful to use a Lean business plan template design in order to jot down a business concept and see if it’s feasible before pursuing it further. Typically one to three pages, a Lean business plan template encourages you to highlight core ideas and strategic activities and remain focused on key points.

Other entrepreneurs prefer a template with a more traditional business plan design, which allows you to go into greater detail and ensure you include every detail. A traditional plan can range from 10 to 100 pages and cover both the high-level and granular particulars of your overall concept, objectives, and strategy.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but the following section outlines the minimum that your business plan template should include in order to gain buy-in from potential investors.

What to Include in a Startup Business Plan

Whether you choose to use a template to develop your startup business plan or decide to write one from scratch, you need to include the following elements:

  • An overview of your company and the industry in which it operates
  • The problem you are solving and the proposed solution
  • A description of your product or service offerings, including key features
  • The existing alternatives that customers use and your competitive advantage
  • The target customer segments and the channels you will use to reach them
  • The cost structure and revenue streams associated with your business
  • A financial plan, including sales and revenue projections (ideally 3-5 years)
  • If applicable, the financial requirements to get your business running, including how you will source and allocate funds

Each of the following sections provides an example of a business plan that you can use for reference as you develop your own.

One-Page Lean Business Plan Example

This Lean business plan example displays a visually appealing and scannable one-page illustration of a business plan. It conveys the key strategies you need to meet your main objectives. Each element of this concise plan provides stakeholders and potential investors with links to resources that support and expand upon the plan’s details, and it can also serve as an investor pitch deck.

One Page Business Plan Example

Startup Business Plan Sample

This business plan sample contains all the aspects of a standard business plan. Using a fictional food truck business as the basis for a startup business plan, this sample will give you all the ideas you need to make your plan outstanding.

Basic Business Plan Sample

Download Startup Business Plan Sample - PDF

When the time comes that you need more space to lay out your goals and strategies, choose from our variety of  free simple business plan templates . You can learn how to write a successful simple business plan  here . 

Visit this  free non-profit business plan template roundup  or of you are looking for a business plan template by file type, visit our pages dedicated specifically to  Microsoft Excel ,  Microsoft Word , and  Adobe PDF  business plan templates. Read our articles offering  free 30-60-90-day business plan templates  to find more tailored options.

Top 10 Tips to Create a Startup Business Plan

Putting together a business plan can be overwhelming and time consuming, especially if you aren’t sure where to begin. Below, we share tips you can use to help simplify the process of developing a startup business plan of your own. 

  • Use a business plan template, or begin with a business plan outline that provides all the elements of a standard plan to get your ideas down on paper in a structured manner. (You can choose from the selection of templates above.)  
  • Remove sections from your outline that aren’t relevant or that aren’t necessary to launch and operate your business.
  • Compile the data you have gathered on your business and industry, including research on your target market and product or service offerings, details on the competitive landscape, and a financial plan that anticipates the next three to five years. Use that information to fill in the sections of your plan outline. 
  • Get input and feedback from team members (e.g., finance, marketing, sales) and subject matter experts to ensure that the information you’ve included in the plan is accurate.
  • Make certain that the objectives of your plan align with marketing, sales, and financial goals to ensure that all team members are moving in the same direction.
  • Although this section of the plan comes first, write the executive summary last to provide an overview of the key points in your business plan.
  • Prepare a pitch deck for potential clients, partners, or investors with whom you plan to meet in order to share vital information about your business, including what sets you apart and the direction you are headed. 
  • Who are the founders and management executives, and what relevant experience do they bring to the table?
  • What is the problem you are solving, and how is your solution better than what currently exists? 
  • What’s the size of the market, and how much market share do you plan to capture?
  • What are the trends in your market, and how are you applying them to your business?
  • Who are your direct competitors, and what is your competitive advantage?
  • What are the key features of your product or service that set it apart from alternative offerings, and what features do you plan to add in the future?
  • What are the potential risks associated with your business, and how do you plan to address them?
  • How much money do you need to get your business running, and how do you plan to source it?
  • With the money you source, how do you plan to use it to scale your business?
  • What are the key performance metrics associated with your business, and how will you know when you’re successful?
  • Revisit and modify your plan on a regular basis as your goals and strategies evolve.
  • Use a work collaboration tool that keeps key information across teams in one place, allows you to track plan progress, and captures updates in real time.

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Business Plan Templates

biz-plan-template-cta

A well-written business plan can help you identify your goals, map out strategies to achieve them, and measure progress along the way. And while some proponents of the ' no plan ' business plan argue that businesses can survive without a business plan — research shows that having a solid plan can help fuel growth and improve business performance, especially if you're a startup.

What's a Startup Business Plan?

Before diving into the specifics, let’s revisit the basics of a startup business plan. Briefly, a business plan is a written document outlining your strategies and ideas for launching, growing, managing, and (later on) exiting your business venture. 

Business plans are by no means set in stone. In fact, your plan will likely evolve as the market changes and as you learn more about your customers. A typical business plan will include your financial projections, marketing strategies, timelines, products and services, management plans, competitive analysis, and more.

Why Does it Matter?

Studies show that both new and existing businesses can benefit from a business plan , as planning drastically improves business performance and efficiency. Also, companies with business plans tend to grow at least 30% faster than those that don't have any sort of planning in place. 

Additionally, 71% of fast-growing companies attribute their growth to having defined their budgets, sales goals, and business strategies early on. And to really drive the point home, yet another study revealed that companies that had a growth rate in sales of over 92% year-over-year all had business plans to inform their next steps. 

Briefly put, business plans help you focus on your business goals and keep your team and investors informed regarding the future of your company. Putting things on paper enables you to set realistic goals and actionable steps for reaching them. For example, if you're developing a new product, you'll need to know exactly how much it will cost and whether you need additional funding. 

Who Will Want to Read It?

No, sorry, the "About Us" section on your website or social media page is not enough. You'll need a well-written, comprehensive business plan to get your startup off the ground — and that means you should be prepared to share it with potential investors, partners, and lenders.

Your potential investors or partners will want to know exactly what they're investing in and how their money will help your company reach its goals. By having a comprehensive business plan in place, you can show potential investors and partners that you have done your homework and are serious about taking your business venture to the next level. Plus, it gives them a glimpse into what kind of returns they can expect from financing your business or partnering with you.

The Starting Point

Creating a business plan can be a daunting task. That’s why we created the Startup Business Plan Template – an easy-to-use editable template that provides guidance on writing a high-quality business plan (or checking what you already have so far). Here's what the kit contains:

  • Guidelines for Writing a rockstar business plan
  • The nine components your business plan needs
  • Editable fields for easy creation
  • A business plan gut checklist
  • How to make the template work for you.

Get access to the templates now

Built to scale with hubspot for startups.

It takes some time to put together a startup pitch deck that works, but once you’ve nailed your presentation, you can reuse it for multiple pitches with just a few tweaks to update any data or statistics. HubSpot for Startups helps you track marketing and sales data to make this process easier. New investors can rest easy knowing you’ve got the support of HubSpot’s powerful CRM at your fingertips.

Amazon Web Services

From Airbnb to Zocdoc, the world’s top startups build on Amazon Web Services. But they didn’t do it alone. So whether you need help solving a technical challenge, hiring the right engineers, or finalizing a fundraising round, we have all the resources you need to get started. There’s a reason more startups build on AWS than any other provider: we’re here to help you succeed, from inception to IPO.

To learn more about AWS, visit aws.amazon.com .

Get the biz plan template!

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Tech Startup Business Plan Template

Tech Startup Business Plan Template

What is a Tech Startup Business Plan?

A tech startup business plan outlines a company's strategy and objectives. It serves as a roadmap for how to start and grow a business, and covers all the important aspects of a business including marketing, operations, and finances. The plan also gives details on how to organize the company's resources to achieve the desired results. It also provides information on the goals and strategies for the company, and how to measure the success of the business.

What's included in this Tech Startup Business Plan template?

  • 3 focus areas
  • 6 objectives

Each focus area has its own objectives, projects, and KPIs to ensure that the strategy is comprehensive and effective.

Who is the Tech Startup Business Plan template for?

This Tech Startup Business Plan template is designed for tech startup founders, investors, and teams who are looking to launch a new tech venture. The template helps you to plan and organize all the important aspects of your business and provides a comprehensive overview of your strategy, goals, and objectives. With this template, you can easily set measurable targets and create actionable projects to reach those targets.

1. Define clear examples of your focus areas

A focus area refers to the key areas of your business that you want to focus on in order to achieve your goals and objectives. Examples of focus areas could include developing a business model, designing and developing software, or marketing and selling. Each focus area requires its own set of objectives, actions, and measurable targets (KPIs).

2. Think about the objectives that could fall under that focus area

Objectives are specific goals that you want to achieve within each focus area. For example, if your focus area is developing a business model, your objectives could be to establish a sustainable business model, or to implement and refine the model. Objectives should be specific and achievable.

3. Set measurable targets (KPIs) to tackle the objective

Measurable targets (KPIs) provide a way to measure whether or not an objective has been achieved. For example, if your objective is to increase customer base, a KPI could be to increase customer feedback. KPIs should be quantifiable and measurable in order to track progress and measure success.

4. Implement related projects to achieve the KPIs

Projects (actions) are the steps you need to take in order to achieve a KPI. For example, if your KPI is to increase customer base, an action could be to execute the business model. Projects should be concrete and achievable, and should be designed to help you reach your KPIs.

5. Utilize Cascade Strategy Execution Platform to see faster results from your strategy

The Cascade Strategy Execution Platform is a powerful tool to help you quickly and easily track your progress and measure your success. With Cascade, you can easily set measurable targets, create actionable projects, and track your progress. With Cascade, you can ensure that you reach your goals faster and with greater efficiency.

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Startup Business Plan

it startup business plan template

Why Choose a Traditional Business Plan?

Startups are very different from established businesses. The most obvious reason is that startups don’t have any previous data on how to run their business. This is precisely why a traditional business plan will work for any startup.

There are some vital differences between a traditional business plan and a simple business plan. These differences exist due to several reasons:

  • Lack of a definite business model In the early stages, it’s difficult to state the structure of your business model because your business idea and its execution are still in the testing phase. Only after a certain period of trial and error, you would be able to describe your business model.
  • No performance history While creating financial projections, an established company examines its credit history, past sales, revenue, expenditure, and growth rate. In contrast, a startup needs to begin with assumptions. You have to predict sales, costs, expenses, growth rate, etc. To increase the accuracy of your predictions, you need to gather reliable factual data to back your predictions.
  • Increased risk Startups have an increased risk factor compared to established businesses. This is because startups lack a loyal customer base, an expert team, brand recognition, etc. Devise strategies to overcome the potential risks and challenges that may come your way in the future.

These are the reasons why you need a dedicated business plan for your startup that helps focus on the essential elements while setting up your business.

Before you start writing your business plan, go through the below checkpoints to make sure you are ready for it.

Tips to Create a Business Plan for Your Startup

Writing your first business plan can be overwhelming and confusing. However daunting it may seem, it is still something you can’t avoid.

  • Use a startup business plan template: It can be hard to start from scratch, especially when you are unsure of where to begin. A business plan template helps you get started quickly. You can use it to navigate and structure your plan according to your standards
  • Tailor your plan: After choosing a template, it is essential to customize it to your business requirements. Remove sections that are irrelevant and create your business plan based on the purpose you need it for. For instance, if you are building a business plan to get funding, the financial section of your business plan needs more emphasis.
  • Research thoroughly: Every section of your business plan needs extensive research. Collect data about your market, industry, and competitors. Study their pricing strategies and market trends. Run surveys and talk to your potential customers to understand their needs and problems.
  • Compose according to your objectives: It can be easy to lose sight of your objectives and get lost in the process of writing your business plan. To avoid that, make sure that your marketing strategies, operations, and financial goals are aligning with your business objectives.
  • Ask for feedback: Once you finish creating a business plan, get your team and various experts to provide your feedback. This helps you revise and make adjustments to your plan before presenting it to an investor or client.
  • Be prepared to answer questions: Before you present your startup business plan, it is crucial to prepare yourself to answer any questions related to your plan. It can be because the reader of your business plan may not understand a specific topic or want to test your knowledge. Regardless, keep yourselves informed and ready.

Download a sample startup business plan

Need help writing your business plan from scratch? Here you go;  download our free startup business plan pdf  to start.

It’s a modern business plan template specifically designed for your house-flipping business. Use the example business plan as a guide for writing your own.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

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In conclusion, a business plan is an extremely handy device to get the best out of your efforts if you use it the right way. Planning your business involves consideration of several aspects that make up your business like the type of your industry, the stage of your business, the number of competitors, market size, etc.

Nonetheless, business planning always acts as a plus while tackling the challenges your business will face. It provides you with a proper structure to deal with your business problems head-on.

So, are you thinking of starting your own business? Then go ahead and start planning!

After getting started with Upmetrics , you can copy this startup business plan template into your business plan, modify the required information, and download your startup business plan pdf or doc file. It’s the fastest and easiest way to start writing a business plan for your new startup.

Related Articles On Business Plan Writing

  • How to Write a Business Plan Step by Step
  • Deciding the Ideal Length of Your Business Plan
  • How to Write an Operations Plan for Your Business Plan
  • Browse Through 400+ Free Business Plan Examples
  • How to Design a Detailed Table of Contents for Your Business Plan

About the Author

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Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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Blog Feature Updates

Startup Business Plans 101: Your Path to Success

By Jay Nair , Jul 24, 2023

it startup business plan template

It’s time — you’ve got a promising idea and you’re now prepared to invest the necessary effort to turn it into reality. Startup business plans are vital hack tools that will guide you through your entrepreneurial journey and a business venture with clarity and purpose.

Though vital, business planning doesn’t have to be a chore. Business plans for lean startups and solopreneurs can simply outline the business concept, sales proposition, target customers and sketch out a plan of action to bring the product or service to market. These plans will serve as strategic documents outlining your company’s vision, mission statements, business objectives, target market, financial forecasts and growth strategies.

To simplify the creation of a robust business plan as an entrepreneur, you can harness the power of a business plan maker . This invaluable tool streamlines the process and ensures a polished and well-organized presentation.  Startup business plan templates provide pre-designed frameworks that can be customized to suit your specific industry needs, saving valuable time and effort while preserving the essential structure of a comprehensive business plan.

Ready to begin? Let’s go!

it startup business plan template

Just so you know, some of our business plan templates are free to use and some require a small monthly fee. Sign-up is always free, as is access to Venngage’s online drag-and-drop editor.

Click to jump ahead:

  • Laying the foundation of your startup business plan
  • Business plan executive summary
  • Writing your business description
  • Marketing & sales strategies
  • Startup operational plans
  • Financial plans – forecasting and projections
  • Team and management
  • Appendix and supporting documents

FAQs on startup business plans

  • Use Venngage to create your startup business plan

Preparation and research: 6 steps to laying the foundation of your startup business plan

  • What problem does your product or service solve? 
  • Who are your target customers? 
  • What differentiates your offering from existing solutions in the market? 

This self-reflection will help you establish a clear direction for your startup.

  • Next, conduct market research to gather valuable insights about your target market , including demographics, preferences, and purchasing behavior . This data will enable you to tailor your product or service to meet the specific needs of your customers. Identify trends, industry growth projections, and any potential barriers or challenges you may encounter.
  • Competitive analysis is another critical aspect of preparation and research. Study your competitors to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and strategies. Analyze their pricing, marketing tactics, customer experience, and product/service features. This analysis will allow you to identify gaps in the market and position your startup to offer a unique value proposition .
  • Financial research is equally important during this phase. Calculate the costs associated with starting and operating your business , including overhead expenses, production costs, marketing expenses, and employee salaries. Assess potential revenue streams and estimate your expected sales. This financial analysis will help you determine the feasibility of your business idea and outline a realistic financial plan.
  • Additionally, gather information about legal and regulatory requirements that apply to your industry and location . Understand the necessary permits, licenses, and certifications you need to operate legally. Complying with these regulations from the outset will prevent potential setbacks or legal issues in the future.
  • Finally, organize your findings and insights into a coherent business plan. Create your business plan outline , list your business plan goals, strategies, target market, competitive analysis, marketing plan, financial projections and any other relevant information. This compilation will serve as a roadmap for your startup, guiding your decisions and actions moving forward.

You’ve just encountered a wealth of information and are well on your way to becoming a seasoned business owner! This can sometimes feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, take a moment to breathe deeply and remember how far you’ve come. You’ve got this!

To help you condense and organize your essential points, I have brilliant one-page samples of business plan layouts and templates that will capture everything in a concise format.

it startup business plan template

Knowing when to use a one-page business plan versus a more comprehensive plan depends on various factors. A one-page business plan is ideal for providing a quick overview, saving time, and internal planning. However, it may not suffice for detailed information, complex business models, or meeting external stakeholders’ expectations.

Ultimately, consider the purpose, audience, and complexity of your business when deciding whether to utilize a one-page business plan or opt for a more detailed approach.

Executive Summary: Your Startup’s Elevator Pitch

First impressions are crucial, and a concise yet comprehensive executive summary is your chance to grab potential investors’ attention.

To create a compelling elevator pitch, consider the following key elements:

Problem Statement : Clearly articulate the problem or pain point that your startup addresses. Emphasize the significance of the problem and the potential market size

Solution : Concisely describe your innovative solution or product that solves the identified problem. Highlight its unique features or benefits that differentiate it from existing alternatives.

Target Market : Define your ideal customer segment and outline the market potential. Demonstrate a deep understanding of your target audience’s needs, preferences, and behavior.

Competitive Advantage : Showcase the competitive edge that sets your startup apart from competitors. This could include intellectual property, strategic partnerships, cost advantages, or disruptive technology.

Business Model : Briefly explain how your startup generates revenue and sustains profitability. Outline your monetization strategy, pricing model, and any recurring revenue streams .

Traction and Milestones : Highlight any significant achievements or milestones reached by your startup. This could include customer acquisitions, partnerships, product development progress, or market validation.

Team : Showcase the expertise and qualifications of your founding team or business partners. Highlight key members and their relevant experiences demonstrating their ability to execute the business plan.

I can sense your eagerness to dive right in! To expedite your progress, I’m excited to present you with a collection of meticulously crafted executive summary templates. These templates have been thoughtfully designed and structured by Venngage designers, ensuring seamless integration into your thorough business plan. All you need to do is infuse them with your brilliant startup ideas, and you’ll be well on your way to success!

it startup business plan template

Now, remember that there’s still a ton of work to be done. Let’s take a moment to regroup and ensure we’re on the right track. Before diving into the process of writing your business plan , it’s imperative to gather a wealth of essential information. Conducting comprehensive research is key, and it should encompass the following aspects:

How to assess your target audience

To gain comprehensive insights into your potential user base, creating a user persona report is invaluable. This persona guide report will help you develop a detailed understanding of various user profiles, enabling you to tailor your products or services to meet their specific needs and preferences.

it startup business plan template

Understanding Your Market and Competition

Analyze your market and any trends relevant to your startup. Research your competitors, their strengths and weaknesses, and identify what differentiates your offering from the competition.

it startup business plan template

Developing a Unique Value Proposition

A business Unique Value Proposition (UVP) is a concise statement that communicates the unique advantage a product or service offers over competitors, addressing a specific problem or need. It highlights the distinctive value and benefits customers can expect, helping businesses attract and retain customers by differentiating themselves in the market.

Your unique value proposition (UVP) is the cornerstone of your startup, defining what sets you apart from your competitors. A strong UVP focuses on the specific benefits and solutions your startup offers to customers.

it startup business plan template

Company Description: Painting the Picture

Your company description allows you to showcase your startup’s unique features and provide more in-depth details about your business. This section should include:

The Purpose of the Company Description

Clarify the purpose of your business, your goals and how your startup is uniquely positioned to achieve them.

Essential Information to Include

Include details such as your company’s legal structure, location and a brief history of any founders or key personnel.

Showcase Your Company’s Unique Features

Emphasize the unique aspects of your startup, explaining how these features translate into a competitive advantage.

Allow me to provide you with a dash of inspiration to ignite the momentum for your startup business plan:

it startup business plan template

When it comes to showcasing your company’s unique features, keep in mind that it is essential to emphasize and highlight the distinctive aspects of your startup . Clearly articulate how these features set your company apart from competitors and translate into a tangible competitive advantage . 

Whether it’s through cutting-edge technology, innovative business models, exceptional customer service, or a combination of factors, conveying the value and impact of these unique features is crucial. By effectively communicating the benefits they bring to customers, investors, and partners, you can demonstrate the significance of your offerings and differentiate yourself in the market.

Product/Service Line: What You’re Bringing to the Table

This section highlights the finer details of your product or service offerings:

Detailing Your Product/Service Offerings

Provide a thorough description of your products/services, highlighting key features and their intended use.

it startup business plan template

Highlighting Features, Benefits, and Solutions

Demonstrate how your startup’s offerings solve specific problems or address customer needs through an analysis of product features and associated benefits.

it startup business plan template

Defining Your Pricing and Revenue Model

Outline your startup’s pricing strategy and how it aligns with the overall business model. Detail any plans for scaling or expanding your revenue sources in the future.

it startup business plan template

Presenting Your Market Research Findings

Share insights from your market research, including target customer demographics, market size, and growth potential.

it startup business plan template

Identifying Market Trends and Opportunities

Discuss current trends, emerging opportunities, and how your startup will capitalize on these developments.

it startup business plan template

Marketing and Sales Strategies: Spreading the Word

Developing a robust marketing and sales strategy plan aligns with your overall business strategy and ensures steady growth. Marketing planning will be an essential part of your journey once you’ve got your business plan tight-knit! Also, creating a marketing strategy can be the most fun part of your business plan!

Developing a Comprehensive Marketing Strategy & Plan

  • Outline Specific Marketing Goals : Clearly define your marketing objectives, whether it’s increasing brand awareness, driving website traffic, generating leads, or boosting sales . Set measurable targets to track progress.
  • Identify Target Audience : Conduct thorough market research to identify your ideal customer profiles. Understand their demographics, behaviors, preferences, and pain points. Tailor your marketing messages to resonate with their needs.
  • Select Effective Marketing Channels : Consider both digital and traditional channels that align with your target audience and marketing goals. This may include online advertising, social media marketing, content marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), email campaigns, print media, events, or partnerships.
  • Craft Compelling Messages : Develop persuasive and consistent messaging that highlights the unique value proposition of your products or services. Clearly communicate how your offerings solve customer problems or improve their lives.

it startup business plan template

5 Tips for Effective Sales Techniques and Growth Strategies + free templates

  • Define Your Sales Strategy : Outline the approach and tactics your sales team will use to reach and convert customers. This may involve direct sales, channel partnerships, online sales, or a combination of strategies. Specify your sales process, including lead generation, qualification, nurturing, and closing.
  • Expand Your Customer Base : Identify opportunities to expand your customer reach. Consider targeting new customer segments, entering new geographic markets, or exploring untapped market niches. Develop strategies to attract and engage these potential customers.
  • Penetrate New Markets : Assess the feasibility of expanding into new markets or verticals. Market research will help you understand the dynamics, competition, and customer needs in these markets. Adapt your marketing and sales strategies accordingly to effectively penetrate and capture market share.
  • Innovate Products/Services : Continuously evaluate and enhance your product or service offerings to meet evolving customer demands. Identify areas for innovation or improvement and develop a roadmap for launching new features, versions, or complementary offerings.
  • Perform a SWOT analysis : By conducting a sales SWOT analysis , you will gather valuable insights to enhance your department’s performance. This analysis involves evaluating your company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, enabling you to identify areas for improvement and capitalize on advantageous factors in the market.

Here’s a hack to get you organized – Get right into it with the help of these growth strategy templates and strategic planning templates :

it startup business plan template

Operational Plan: How Your Startup Will Run

Define an efficient and scalable operational plan, keeping in mind the following points:

Defining an Efficient and Scalable Plan

Outline the day-to-day operations, including processes, timelines, and necessary resources.

Legal Considerations for Your Startup Business

Identify any legal requirements or considerations, such as licenses, permits, or regulations that may apply to your startup.

Key Elements of Supply Chain Management and Logistics

Discuss supply chain and logistical aspects relevant to your business. Include details on how you plan to manage and scale these processes.

Here’s a kickstart on how you can structure your operating plans:

it startup business plan template

Financial Projections: Crunching the Numbers

A startup’s financial projections are vital in securing investor buy-in. This section should address:

The Importance of Financial Forecasting and Budgeting

Explain the significance of accurate financial forecasting, budgeting, and the assumptions made in your projections.

Identifying Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Highlight the KPIs used to gauge your business’s financial health and growth trajectory.

Outlining Funding Requirements

Detail the amount and type of funding your startup requires , including how the funds will be allocated and how this investment positions the company for growth.

it startup business plan template

Team and Management Structure: Building Your Dream Team

Your startup’s success depends on the people behind it. This section should cover:

Tips for Building the Right Team

Share your strategy for assembling a skilled team that supports your startup’s vision and growth trajectory.

Founders’ Background and Roles

Provide an overview of the founders’ backgrounds, their roles within the company, and how their skills contribute to the startup’s success.

Organizational Structure and Key Management Personnel

Outline your startup’s organizational structure, including any key management personnel who play a pivotal role in day-to-day operations.

Appendices and Supporting Documents: Backing Up Your Plan

Include any other relevant supporting documents, such as:

  • Research data, market analysis, or competitor analyses.
  • Financial statements, budgeting or forecasting data, and other financial documentation.
  • Legal documents, agreements or contracts, and any patent or trademark information.

Finally, remember to review and update your business plan regularly as the industry, market, and competitive landscape evolve!

1. Why is a business plan essential for a startup?

A startup business plan is crucial for a startup because it provides a framework for strategic decision-making, facilitates financial planning, helps assess risks, aligns teams, communicates your vision, and ensures effective resource allocation. 

2. What should a startup business plan include?

A startup business plan should include:

  • Vision and Direction : Set clear goals and objectives, and outline strategies to achieve them. With a well-defined plan, you will stay focused, make informed decisions, and ensure alignment with your vision.
  • Market Analysis : A business plan necessitates thorough market research to understand your target market, identify competition, and assess product/service demand. These insights enable you to tailor offerings, meet customer needs, and gain a competitive edge.
  • Financial Planning : By constructing a financial roadmap through projected statements such as income, cash flow, and balance sheets, a business plan unveils the expected revenues, expenses, and profitability. This comprehensive planning not only anticipates challenges and sets realistic goals but also serves as a magnet for attracting investors and securing funding.
  • Risk Assessment : Devise strategies for risk mitigation and contingency planning. By proactively doing this, you can significantly enhance the likelihood of success by anticipating and effectively addressing potential obstacles.
  • Communication and Team Alignment : From fostering effective communication with both internal and external stakeholders to aligning team members and showcasing your startup’s unique value proposition, a business plan plays a crucial role. It enables you to articulate target market insights, competitive advantages, and growth strategies to potential investors, partners, and employees.
  • Resource Allocation : A business plan helps you identify the resources required to launch and operate your startup successfully. It includes an assessment of your human resources, technology needs, infrastructure requirements, and other key resources. By understanding your resource needs, you can allocate them effectively, ensuring that you have the necessary assets to execute your business strategy.
  • Adaptability and Flexibility : Your business plan should be flexible enough to accommodate changes and adapt to new circumstances. Startups operate in dynamic environments, and a well-designed plan allows you to monitor progress, evaluate outcomes, and make adjustments as needed. This agility enables you to seize new opportunities and navigate challenges effectively.

3. What is the ideal length for a startup business plan?

The optimal length for a startup business plan typically depends on the specific requirements and intended audience, but a concise and focused plan of around 20 to 30 pages is often recommended.

4. How to write a good startup business plan?

To write a good and effective startup plan, include an executive summary, company description, market analysis, detailed products/services description and a clear marketing and sales strategy. Also incorporate a comprehensive financial plan, outline your organizational structure, and demonstrates your team’s expertise and capabilities. Your plan should be well-researched, concise, and compelling, with a focus on your company’s unique value proposition and market opportunity, making it attractive to investors and stakeholders.

Utilizing Venngage templates & other tools for success

A visually appealing and professional business plan needn’t be a daunting task. Leverage tools like Venngage Business Plan Maker for effective templates that cater to various industries and streamline the process. 

  • Leveraging Venngage for Visually Appealing and Professional Business Plans

Venngage offers a range of templates designed specifically for business plans, allowing you to craft a polished and visually engaging plan without any design experience. Simply choose a template, customize it to suit your startup’s branding, and populate it with your content.

  • Exploring Additional Resources and Tools for Entrepreneurs. In addition to Venngage, several other resources and tools can assist entrepreneurs in crafting the perfect business plan. Examples include:
  • Small Business Administration (SBA) – Offers guidance on writing business plans and provides templates and resources for each section.
  • SCORE – A nonprofit organization providing mentorship, workshops, and other resources for entrepreneurs.
  • Industry-specific resources – Research relevant professional organizations, industry publications, and blogs to stay up to date on industry trends and insights.

Embarking on the entrepreneurial path may present formidable challenges, yet it offers abundant rewards in various aspects. Embrace the art of continuous learning, delving not only into the essence of your business idea but also immersing yourself in the vast world that surrounds it. Cultivate a genuine passion for understanding every facet of your enterprise, for it is through this journey of exploration that you will uncover invaluable insights and experience the true fulfillment of entrepreneurship.

it startup business plan template

  • Startup Business Plan Template

Business woman working on business plan.

Last Updated: June 30, 2023 By TRUiC Team

A startup business plan template can help entrepreneurs set their goals, objectives, and strategies. These templates are usually adapted to suit specific businesses or industries.

What Is a Startup Business Plan?

A startup business plan is, as the name suggests, a business plan for companies that are still in the startup phase. A startup company has to be prepared for future problems. A business plan helps it be prepared for the unexpected by giving insights into the market and competition.

If the product it produces is not successful, a startup should have an idea of what to do next. It also needs to know how much money will be required for things like marketing campaigns or expansion. It is important that a startup business plan offers a clear idea for growth strategy to best allocate resources.

If you'd like to learn more about startup business plans, check out our What Is a Business Plan guide.

How Long Should a Startup Business Plan Be?

A startup business plan should be between one to three pages long with key points listed in bullet points. It should also be easy to read and understand.

Benefits of Using a Startup Business Plan Template

A startup business plan template can be a useful tool for entrepreneurs, no matter what type of company they are trying to launch.

Some of the benefits of using a startup business plan template include:

  • It will help you save time and make it easy for you to create your business plan.
  • It can also help you avoid mistakes and ensure that your business plan is on file.
  • Having a consistent format and look will make it easier for investors and other stakeholders to understand what you’re proposing.

Different Types of Startup Business Plan Templates

Creating or purchasing a blank startup business template will ensure you create a proper business plan for your business. Templates can be modified to include only those sections you need for your specific business type. Sections including financial projections, product launch plans, and more.

A template lets you fill out all the information you need to create a polished and professional business plan — from an executive summary to forecasting annual profits based on market insights. 

A good startup template includes these sections:

  • Executive summary
  • Company description
  • Products and services
  • Market analysis
  • Management team
  • Financial plan
  • Operational plan

Free Startup Business Plan Generator

Use our free business plan generator to write your startup business plan. Start filling out the sections while keeping the following in mind.

Startup business plan template best practices:

  • Think about your product or service and what market it will be in.
  • Understand your competition.
  • Do some in depth market research to ensure you have the competitive advantage.
  • Work through each section of the business plan template.
  • Consult with noncompetitive experts to see how you might improve your plan.
  • Create a final draft.
  • Stick to your plan as you build out your business, modifying it as needed.

Final Thoughts

Writing can be frustrating. Researching can be daunting. To make writing a business plan easier, use a business plan template. A business plan template saves you time and the hassle of starting from scratch. 

The better your business plan, the more likely your business will succeed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What types of businesses need business plans.

Business plans are one of the most important documents for today’s startups. They help potential investors decide whether they should invest in your business or not.

For startups looking for funding, a business plan is the best way to present to potential investors. It also offers a great opportunity for startups to get feedback from peers and other professionals in the field.

Business plans are necessary when businesses need to apply for certain types of loans or grants. A business plan can be used as proof that you have an idea, have taken steps to bring it into fruition, and know how to run a successful enterprise.

What is the difference between a startup business plan and an existing company's business plan?

In a startup business plan, the founders need to give a detailed description of what their company does and why it is better than its competitors. In an existing company's business plan, the focus is more on discussing past accomplishments and future plans.

How long should a startup business plan be?

A business plan is a written document that provides an overview of the business, its objectives, and the market. Generally these plans are one to three pages long with key points listed in bullet-point format. 

Keep the plan on hand for when you need it most - like when you hit hard times or when you're faced with a problem that cannot be solved by any other means.

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Simple Business Plan Template for Startups, Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs

  • Written by Dave Lavinsky

Business Plan Template

Table of Contents

What is a business plan template.

A business plan template is a document that allows you to quickly write a detailed business plan. Among other things, it includes all key business plan sections: an executive summary, company description, industry and market analyses, competitive overview, marketing and operations plans, management team and five year financial projections. Get started writing your business plan today by using our simple business plan template.

Growthink’s business plan template is the result of 25+ years of research into the business plans that help entrepreneurs and small business owners attract potential investors, raise investment capital, and build successful companies.

The 10 Key Business Plan Template Sections

1. executive summary.

The Executive Summary provides a high level synopsis of your business plan, including your company’s business concept, mission statement, company description and an overview of your product and service offerings.

The Executive Summary is the most important part of your business plan because if it doesn’t excite the reader, they won’t continue reading your plan, and they certainly won’t invest in your company.

Start your executive summary with a clear, concise one-line description of what your company does. This helps your readers instantly understand your business and sets the stage for what’s to come in your plan.

End this section with an overview of your projected 5-year income statement and if you are seeking capital, the amount of capital you need and how you will use it (e.g., for marketing, staff, etc.).

Importantly, neither your executive summary nor your complete business plan will answer all the questions that readers (particularly investors and lenders) might have about your business. The goal of the executive summary is to excite readers and give them enough information to want to read the rest of your plan. The goal of your full business plan is to excite them enough to meet with you and ideally write you a check or otherwise support your business.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

2. Company Overview

This business plan section provides an overview of your business and lets readers know your history.

Start this section with a concise explanation of your business. Then, answer key questions including the following:

  • What are the key products and services you offer/will offer.
  • Where are you located?
  • Why is your business uniquely qualified to succeed? For example, do you have a great management team, the perfect location, great technology, etc.?
  • When was your company formed?
  • What is your business’ legal structure (e.g., Corporation, Limited Liability Company (LLC), Sole Proprietorship, Non-Profit Organization, or Not Yet Incorporated)?
  • What are your company’s accomplishments to date? For example, if you are an existing business, what were your sales last year. If you are a new business, accomplishments may include having designed your logo, finding the perfect location, hiring key personnel, etc.

As you can see, your company analysis gives readers a solid history of your company so they understand where you’ve been and where you’re going.

3. Industry Analysis

The industry analysis section of your plan describes the market in which your company will be competing, including market research, data on target market segments, and industry trends.

Begin this section with an overview of your industry. State the industry in which you are competing (e.g, the restaurant industry). Detail the current size of the industry and market trends that are affecting it. Importantly, discuss how these trends will positively affect your company’s success in the future.

In addition, detail your relevant market size. Your relevant market size is the annual revenue that your company could attain if you attained 100% market share.

Detailing your relevant market size helps readers to understand your company’s potential. For example, while the healthcare industry is a trillion dollar market, your company will not reap a trillion dollars in annual sales. However, if you are a medical device that helps people who snore, by multiplying the number of people who snore by the price of your product, you can calculate a more realistic figure of your company’s sales potential.

4. Customer Analysis

The customer analysis assesses your key customer segments and their needs. This helps you create products, services and marketing strategies that best resonate with your customers. It also shows readers you are customer-focused, which is key to most companies’ success.

Start by detailing who your key customers are. For example, are they people who snore? Local residents? HR managers at large companies?

Provide as many demographic (e.g., age, income, gender, location, family size, occupation, etc.) details about your target customers as possible. Likewise, document the psychographic variables you can use to describe your target customers. For example, what are their beliefs? What activities do they engage in?

Next, detail the needs of your target customers as they pertain to your products and services. For example, do they desire speed, reliability, comfort, convenience, low prices, comprehensive customer service, etc. Finally, show how your products and services will meet these needs.

5. Competitive Analysis

Your business plan must identify your direct and indirect competitors, assess their strengths and weaknesses, and show your company’s competitive advantages.

Direct competitors are companies that fill the same customer need you do with the same or a similar solution. For example, direct competitors of a pizza shop would be other local pizza shops.

Indirect competitors are companies that fill the same customer need you do with a different solution. For example, a supermarket that sells frozen pizzas would be an indirect competitor to a pizza shop.

Finally, detail your competitive advantages, that is the reason(s) your company is positioned to outperform both direct and indirect competitors. Such reasons could include, among other things, having superior products and/or services, or better management and staffing, or a better location, or proprietary Intellectual Property (IP). Detail each of these competitive advantages here so readers understand them.

6. Marketing Plan

Your marketing plan must detail your key products and services, your pricing, your promotions plan and your distribution plan.

With regards to your key products and services, provide details on what they are. Include pictures and supporting information as appropriate.

Next, detail your pricing. Also document whether you will employ a premium, low-cost or competitive pricing strategy.

After this, document your promotions strategy, which details how you will find and secure new customers. For example, will you use online marketing, print ads, television ads, flyers, infomercials, etc. to reach your target customers?

Finally, if applicable, detail your distribution plan. If you are selling directly to your customers, you don’t need to include this information. But, if you are reaching customers through distributors and/or partners, detail this strategy so the readers understand it.

7. Operations Plan

Your operations plan must detail 1) the key day-to-day processes that your company performs to serve customers and 2) the key milestones your company expects to accomplish as you grow.

With regards to key day-to-day processes, documenting this ensures that both you and your readers understand what is required to run your business. For instance, for a laundromat, these processes might include, among others:

  • Ensuring all machines are operational and the facility is clean when you open, and that the premises are secure, machines are off, and the security system is on before closing.
  • Performing daily checks on washing machines and dryers and performing maintenance.
  • Keep track of laundry supplies, such as detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets, available for purchase.

The key milestones your company expects to accomplish as you grow keeps you and your company focused and accountable for achieving your desired results.

These milestones could include, among other things:

  • Hiring new employees
  • Reaching $X in sales
  • Securing your Nth customer
  • Launching a new location

8. Management Team

This section of your business plan should demonstrate that your company has the required management team and staff to be successful.

Document who your key team members are and why they are qualified to help your company succeed. This gives investors and lenders confidence that if they fund your business, it has a high likelihood of success.

As appropriate, you should also detail any management team gaps (key positions you are missing and expect to hire for in the future) and members of your board.

How to Finish Your Business Plan in 1 Day!

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your professional business plan?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

9. Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year projected business financials including your pro forma income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements. These statements should clearly illustrate your company’s revenue streams, sales volume and profitability over the next five years.

Detail key assumptions you made in creating your financial projections in this section and provide a summary of your five-year projected income statement. Your other projections will go in your business plan’s appendix.

In addition, if you are seeking funding for your company, detail the amount of funding you need and the key uses of the funds. For example, are you using the funds for product development, building out a location, staffing, marketing, etc.?

10. Appendix

The appendix supports your overall business plan and should include your full financial projections along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you can include details about your intellectual property, customer lists, building designs, etc.

Formatting Your Business Plan

In addition to the 10 key sections mentioned above, a professional business plan should also include a table of contents and a nicely designed cover page.

It’s important that readers of your plan see you as a professional company. If not, they may not want to invest or otherwise support your business. As such, make sure your plan exudes competence. A nice looking cover page helps convey this message to readers. Then, in the body of your plan, use appropriate spacing, graphs and charts to make your plan look professional and be as easy to read as possible.

Business Plan Template PDF

You can access our business plan pdf template here. This is a pdf version of our basic business plan template.

Our free business plan template pdf includes everything you need to include in your plan- executive summary, company overview, industry analysis, customer analysis, competitive analysis, marketing plan, operations plan, management plan, financial plan and appendix- and the key questions that each must answer. This free business plan template pdf will definitely get you started in the right direction.

We do offer a premium version of our business plan template. Click here to learn more about it . The premium version includes numerous features not available in the free template. Its most touted feature is its financial projections template which allows you to simply enter your estimated sales and growth rates, and it automatically calculates your complete five-year financial projections including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Here’s the link to our Ultimate Business Plan Template.

Why Use a Template for Your Business Plan

Using a business plan template will significantly cut down on the time it takes to complete your plan. Specifically, a template such as this one:

  • Starts you off with content already on the page. It’s hard to start any document from a blank page and having your key sections already listed is helpful.
  • Lays out the key questions you must answer in each section, so you have guidance on what information to include and where.
  • Helps you understand the questions you must focus on, and what’s not important, so you do a better job of conveying the key information readers need to know.

Business Plan Examples

It can be helpful to review sample business plans before starting your own business planning process. You can download our sample business plan pdf here to help you get started.

Remember, a critical part of your plan is to explain why your company is uniquely qualified to succeed, so resist the urge to copy a business plan sample completely. Also, importantly, a business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

We also have over 300 business plan examples and free business plan templates available for you to develop a professional business plan.

Writing a Business Plan and Business Plan Template FAQs

How can i access growthink's ultimate business plan template.

Download Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template and complete a solid business plan and your financial statements in hours.

Does Word Have a Business Plan Template?

business plan template

Our startup business plan template includes an outline of each of the 10 key sections to help you write a plan to start a new business, grow your existing business, and/or help you secure funding such as a business loan from the Small Business Administration, local bank, grants, angel investors, venture capitalists, or from other financial institutions.

Unlike our premium version, our free templates do not include all the key sub-sections, the questions that walk you through step-by-step, the professional cover page designs, nor the financial projections template that allows you to create a professional financial plan in minutes.

Click here to learn more about the World’s #1 Best-Selling Business Plan Template .

How can i write a simple business plan.

Use the simple business plan template below and answer the questions in each section to create a simple business plan for your company.

How To Write a Simple Business Plan

Describe your business and business goals in the executive summary, company overview.

  • What type of company are you operating (e.g., a software company, a bakery, etc.)?
  • Are you offering a product or a service?
  • What is the legal structure of your company (e.g., sole proprietorship, limited liability company (LLC), corporation, etc.)?
  • What is your mission statement and value proposition?
  • What is the company's history?
  • What is your business model and business idea?
  • Is there a market pain that your business solves?

Success Factors

  • What is it about your company that makes it (or will make it) uniquely qualified to succeed?
  • What milestones has your company achieved to demonstrate success?

Conduct Market Research To Develop a Comprehensive Industry Analysis

Market analysis.

  • In what market are you competing (e.g., the fast-food market, the running shoe market)?
  • How big is the industry and is that size big enough?
  • Are there positive or negative trends affecting the market (e.g., is it growing/shrinking, is government regulation on the horizon that could change the market analysis)?

Better Understand Your Target Customers Through a Customer Analysis

Target market.

  • Who are your target customers?
  • What are their primary needs when choosing a product/service provider such as your company?

Identify Strengths and Weaknesses of Your Competitors Through a Competitive Analysis

Competitive advantage.

  • With whom will your company compete and how will your company better serve customer needs than your competitors?
  • How else will you “beat” your competition? What are your key points of differentiation and your value proposition?
  • How does your product or service compare to those offered by the competition?

Describe How You Will Reach Your Potential Customers Through a Targeted Marketing Plan

Marketing strategy.

  • What is your product or service offering?
  • What marketing and sales strategies will you use to attract customers? and what promotional methods will you employ (e.g., radio advertising, pay-per-click ads) ?

Pricing Strategy

  • How will you price your product or service?
  • What discounts or promotions will you offer?

Describe Your Management Team and the Experience They Bring To the Table.

Key members of the team.

  • Who is on your management team?
  • What experiences, relationships, etc. do they possess that will help your venture succeed? Have they ever run other businesses?
  • Are there key employees that you must hire in the future to improve your company’s odds of success?
  • Do you have any business partners that take part in developing the business strategy?

Calculate Realistic Financial Projections to Develop Your Business’s Financial Plan

Financial model.

  • What is the main financial information about your company (revenue and expense projections)?
  • How much outside funding (if any) do you need? What are your specific needs? (equipment, supplies,e etc.)
  • What are your revenue streams? How much revenue can you really generate each year over the next five years?
  • Are the profit margins high enough to sustain the company?
  • What are your loss projections?

Completing this simple business plan template will provide a road map to completing your business plan and force you to answer key questions about your company which will help in determining its feasibility and likelihood for success.

For example, in choosing the ideal promotions strategy to attract new clients, you will be able to estimate the cost of acquiring new customers. This will allow you to compare that cost to your estimated customer lifetime value and ensure healthy profit margins are possible (or not).

Likewise, a competitive analysis might alert you to stiffer competition than you imagined and prompt you to opt for a new business idea or creatively come up with ways to outmaneuver competitors.

On a similar note, in completing this lean business plan, you might realize the market size isn’t big enough to support the large, thriving enterprise you’d like to create. Or perhaps market trends are moving away from the problems your company’s products and services solve.

Yet another example of the importance of this exercise is that it forces you to really think about your target customers. The better and more narrowly you can define your target customers, the more cost-effectively you’ll be able to attract them and the more successful you can be in developing a value proposition that appeals to them.

In any case, a simple business plan template allows you to better understand your venture and what it will take to make it successful.

Two additional types of simple business plan templates:

  • One-page business plan- A one-page business plan is a compressed version of a traditional business plan that fits neatly into a single page. It usually includes only high level information about your business. Looking for a one-page business plan? Learn more and download our free one-page business plan template.
  • Lean Business plan- A lean startup is supported by a one-page business plan that does not require extensive financial information, market research and/or business development plans. The lean startup needs to focus on factors that present immediate opportunities in order to gain a competitive advantage. Looking for a lean business plan? Learn more about the lean business planning process .

How Do I Write a Business Plan For a Small Startup?

A startup business plan is nearly identical to writing a business plan for an established business. The main difference between a startup business plan and business plans for an existing company is that established businesses should focus more on discussing past accomplishments and rely on historical data in their financial forecasts. In a startup business plan, the company needs to spend more time validating future forecasts since there’s no hard data on which to base them and proving that you will be a successful business owner.

A startup business plan template provides a road map to long-term success and business growth. It should include the same 10 key components of all business plans:

  • Describe your business, mission and long-term goals in the executive summary.
  • Explain the structure of your business, the physical location, and other basic business information in the company overview.
  • Research your industry to explain current trends and influential factors for your business through a complete industry analysis.
  • Identify the demographics and purchasing habits of your ideal customer in a detailed customer analysis.
  • Better understand what your business is up against with a competitive analysis to identify their strengths and weaknesses.
  • Develop a marketing plan that will help you reach your ideal customers, drive traffic to your website, and increase conversions.
  • Create an operations plan that describes your day-to-day processes and procedures that make your business successful.
  • Describe the management team that will be responsible for the success of your business.
  • Create a comprehensive financial plan with realistic projections of where your business will be in the next 3-5 years.
  • Attach supporting documents, financial statements, etc. in the appendix.

Learn the step-by-step writing process for how to write a comprehensive business plan and get a startup business plan template.

How Can I Write My Own Business Plan?

Learn how to successfully write your own business plan in the video below.

Anyone can write a business plan following the traditional business plan template, it’s important to remember that the most important part of your plan is to explain why your company is uniquely qualified to succeed and have strong financial data to support your business idea. This is why it’s important to do your market research to have a clear understanding of your industry, market analysis, target customer, and competitive landscape.

If you have a complex business or need help writing a professional plan, it can be helpful to use business plan software, hire an expert business plan consulting firm, or a business plan writer.  So, while you may want to write your business plan, the experience of a consultant can help you develop a more thorough and achievable business plan for you to attract investors, secure funding and/or grow your business. They will also be able to provide helpful tips to help navigate the business planning process.

Learn more about Growthink’s expert business plan consultants and how we help develop winning business plans.

How Can I Get a Printable Business Plan Template?

A business plan is a very important document for any business. It helps you to outline your goals and business objectives, as well as how you plan to achieve them. If you're looking for a printable business plan template, there are a few different options available to you.

One option is to download a free business plan template . Be aware that free business plan templates are often generic for any type of business, so while it will help you write your business plan, you may need to do some additional editing before using them.

Another option is to purchase a template from a business planning company. These types of business plan templates are of higher quality and include a range of features that can help you to create professional-looking business plans and financial model including the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on your needs and budget. If you're looking for high-quality, printable business plan templates that are easy to edit, then a purchasing a business plan template is the best option. If you're on a tight budget or you don't need a lot of features, then a free, simple business plan template may be a better choice. Whichever option you choose, make sure to take the time to customize the template to fit your specific business.

Is a Business Plan Required For Funding?

Yes, a written business plan is nearly always required when seeking financing.  You need a business plan whether you are a small business, a startup, an existing business looking to grow or a seasoned business owner. Business plans fall into three common categories: business plans for funding, those used for strategy, and business plans for both fundraising and strategy.

Regardless of their business model, many business owners use their business plans to raise bank loans to grow. The funding request allows them to acquire additional business resources and improve their financial health. New business owners often seek bank loans as well as funding from angel investors and/or friends and family.

Importantly, regardless of the source of funding you desire, a good business plan will stand out to a potential investor by showing compelling reasons why you will achieve financial success. A successful business plan must clearly highlight the business opportunity and want investors to buy in.  Investors will recognize a well researched business plan. A winning business plan will help you achieve long-term success, business growth and secure funding.

it startup business plan template

Most new businesses that fail do so for one of two reasons: (1) lack of market need and/or (2) no more cash.

These two reasons account for more than 70% of new businesses not making it. However, both causes can often be avoided if founders invest upfront time in developing a carefully researched business plan.

A simple business plan template provides a proven framework to start from, concisely helps structure ideas, and shows potential investors what an organized and professional team looks like — one that can bring this business idea to market.

This article will share our custom-developed, simple business plan template, cover what should be included, and more.

Get the template

What is a simple business plan template?

A business plan is a written document outlining how a company intends to achieve its primary objectives — obtaining a particular market share, growing revenue, or reaching the next round of funding.

Download Excel template

While companies of all stages and sizes use business plans, they are beneficial for startups, as they can be the key to attaining funding.

A business plan template is a customizable document that provides all the crucial and necessary elements of a great business plan, allowing company leaders to start from a solid and established foundation rather than from scratch.

A simple business plan template typically includes:

  • table of contents
  • executive summary
  • company description
  • analysis of the target market
  • description of the management team
  • details of the product or service
  • financial forecasts
  • funding requirements
  • appendices such as legal documents, permits, patents, and licenses

Business plans can quickly become huge, cumbersome documents, requiring a significant time investment from the creator. The U.S. Small Business Administration recommends business plans be between 30 and 50 pages long.

While there is some benefit to spending this time developing a comprehensive business plan, agility is often more critical in the startup business world. That’s the main reason why simple business plan templates exist.

Simple business plan templates typically follow a structure outlining goals, teams, and financials.

  • Company description : What does the business do? What problems does it solve?
  • Team : Who is involved? What key hires have been made? What expertise do they bring to the table? Why are they the right team to get the job done?
  • Industry and competitive analysis: Who are the company’s competitors? What are they doing well and not so well? What opportunities exist to differentiate and be successful in this industry?
  • Target market: Who are the customers being targeted? What are their interests? What are their everyday challenges and goals?
  • Timeline : What are the critical dates for tasks/goals?
  • Marketing plan : How will the plan attract new customers?
  • Financial plan : What do current revenue streams, cash on hand, revenue structure, required funding or funding already received, etc., look like.

Why use a simple business plan template?

We highly recommend founders use a simple business plan template, mainly for the speed and agility they offer.

Creating a business plan takes time and effort, no matter how many times it’s been done. Even a simple, one-page business plan designed for small businesses requires a fair bit of research.

Each section of the business needs to be analyzed. First, it’s essential to understand the market conditions and have a step-by-step plan. Then finally, it’s necessary to determine the plan’s structure.

Templates are even more crucial for first-time startup founders. 

It’s understandable not to be super-confident in the first (or 2nd or 3rd) business plan writing process. A proven framework will help all — even seasoned veterans, ensure they:

  • Don’t miss any critical elements.
  • Structure ideas neatly and concisely.
  • Foster a sense of professionalism, improving the confidence of potential investors

What are some examples of simple business plan templates?

These sample business plan templates serve as a great jumping-off point. Use them as inspiration. Take note of the similarities across the different examples.

1. One-page business plan template

A one-page business plan template is perfect for creating a plan to bring to the next startup pitch. But of course, supplementing the template with appendices for financial reports like balance sheets or income statements is important.

Summarizing the entire business into a single page is a great exercise. It ensures a robust and concise knowledge of each area of operation, creating more confidence to discuss each point with potential investors.

A breakdown how to create a simple business plan template in five steps

( Image Source )

2. Simple business plan template in Excel

While Excel does not have all the bells and whistles, it’s still a popular and widely-used platform — one that many founders choose to use to create simple business plans. This template can be used for any type of business, though it’s built for early-stage startups to plan out the first few months in business.

Notice how the template breaks overall costs down into smaller, more detailed items. This is useful to understand better the costs associated with starting a new business. Noting when those costs are owed also helps business owners monitor cash flow.

Simple business plan template in an Excel spreadsheet

3. Startup business plan template

Here’s another excellent example of a business plan template built for startups.

What’s great about this template is rather than providing simple headers for each section, it includes questions and prompts to help guide the necessary information.

A simple business plan template with prompt questions

4. Lean business plan template

Lean business is a style of startup operation that focuses on minimizing waste, moving fast, and keeping costs low. It’s a popular methodology for companies wanting to get off the ground quickly and build revenue without raising significant funding.

This business plan template supports startups based on the lean concept, allowing for a simple, single-page business plan with minimal time investment.

A table detailing how to fill out a lean, simple business plan template

monday.com’s simple business plan template

Most free business plan templates come in PDF, Google Docs, or Microsoft Word formats. Unfortunately, while these are popular formats and tools, they don’t tend to be particularly collaborative.

Have a distributed team? The monday.com simple business plan template will be your best friend.

A screenshot of a simple business plan template from monday.com

Customize it to include all the fields necessary for a stellar business plan plus any additional ones unique to your business. But the most significant benefit of the template is the platform it’s built on .

The monday.com Work OS means building apps and workflows is simple. Customizing fields and columns to fit what the company is already doing, not the other way around. For example, once a business plan has been created using the monday.com simple template, it’s super-easy to set up a collaborative board to manage the marketing plan , assign tasks and due dates to employees and freelancers, and turn that business plan into reality.

A main table view of the monday.com simple business plan template

Simple business plan template tips & tricks

Here are a few tips to make the most of this template and create a business plan that works.

1. Use simple, approachable language.

The goal is for people to read the business plan, right? Using everyday language over complex jargon and corporate terminology is an excellent place to start. Then, ensuring anyone who comes across the plan will have no issue understanding its meaning.

2. Write the executive summary last.

The executive summary is a short section that summarizes every aspect of the business plan. So, first, write the entire plan. THEN write the executive summary.

3. Supplement the business plan with supporting documents

While simple business plans are fast and effective, they leave out a lot of information by nature. Consider supplementing the plan with appendices such as financial statements , data sets, and market analyses.

4. Be conservative with financial estimates.

Where possible, financial projections should be based on real-life data. But even with the most accurate and up-to-date information out there, there’s always room for interpretation. So it’s best to give a range where possible, and if not, stay conservative with financial estimates.

5. Include thorough research and analysis

Invest the time early on and capture accurate, comprehensive data to support all claims. Interview customers and prospects to get a realistic picture of the target audience. Consider hiring a professional firm to provide a market research report.

FAQs about simple business plan templates

How do i write a simple business plan.

Simple business plans can be as little as one page with concise writing. Include information for each of these sections:

  • Company description : What does the company do and sell? What problems does it solve?
  • Team : Who works for the company, and what value do they provide?
  • Industry : What competitors or other options exist?
  • Target market : What does the ideal customer look like?
  • Marketing strategy and plan : What is the plan to bring in new customers?
  • Financial plan : What do the revenue streams look like?

What are the 7 parts of a business plan?

A 7-part business plan starts with the executive summary, moves on to describe the company, and finishes with financials.

  • Executive summary
  • Company description
  • Organization and management team
  • Products and services
  • Market analysis
  • Strategy and implementation timeline
  • Financial plan and projections

What are common mistakes in a business plan?

Typical business plan mistakes include:

  • not being research-driven
  • unrealistic financial estimates
  • providing too much information
  • not using data to back up claims
  • not offering an analysis of the competitive landscape
  • only outlining vague goals and priorities

it startup business plan template

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Access our collection of user-friendly templates for business planning, finance, sales, marketing, and management, designed to assist you in developing strategies for either launching a new business venture or expanding an existing one.

You can use the templates below as a starting point to create your startup business plan or map out how you will expand your existing business. Then meet with a  SCORE mentor to get expert business planning advice and feedback on your business plan.

If writing a full business plan seems overwhelming, start with a one-page Business Model Canvas. Developed by Founder and CEO of Strategyzer, Alexander Osterwalder, it can be used to easily document your business concept.

Download this template to fill out the nine squares focusing on the different building blocks of any business:

  • Value Proposition
  • Customer Segments
  • Customer Relationships
  • Key Activities
  • Key Resources
  • Key Partners
  • Cost Structure
  • Revenue Streams

For help completing the Business Model Canvas Template, contact a SCORE business mentor for guidance

From creating a startup budget to managing cash flow for a growing business, keeping tabs on your business’s finances is essential to success. The templates below will help you monitor and manage your business’s financial situation, create financial projections and seek financing to start or grow your business.

This interactive calculator allows you to provide inputs and see a full estimated repayment schedule to plan your capital needs and cash flow.

A 12-month profit and loss projection, also known as an income statement or statement of earnings, provides a detailed overview of your financial performance over a one-year period. This projection helps you anticipate future financial outcomes by estimating monthly income and expenses, which facilitates informed decision-making and strategic planning. 

If you’re trying to get a loan from a bank, they may ask you for a personal financial statement. You can use this free, downloadable template to document your assets, liabilities and net worth. 

A Personal Financial Statement is a

Marketing helps your business build brand awareness, attract customers and create customer loyalty. Use these templates to forecast sales, develop your marketing strategy and map out your marketing budget and plan.

How healthy is your business? Are you missing out on potential growth opportunities or ignoring areas of weakness? Do you need to hire employees to reach your goals? The following templates will help you assess the state of your business and accomplish important management tasks.

Whether you are starting your business or established and looking to grow, our Business Healthcheck Tool will provide practical information and guidance.

Learn how having a SCORE mentor can be a valuable asset for your business. A SCORE mentor can provide guidance and support in various areas of business, including finance, marketing, and strategy. They can help you navigate challenges and make important decisions based on their expertise and experience. By seeking out a SCORE mentor, you can gain the guidance and support you need to help grow your business and achieve success.

SCORE offers free business mentoring to anyone that wants to start, currently owns, or is planning to close or sell a small business. To initiate the process, input your zip code in the designated area below. Then, complete the mentoring request form on the following page, including as much information as possible about your business. This information is used to match you with a mentor in your area. After submitting the request, you will receive an email from your mentor to arrange your first mentoring session.

Copyright © 2024 SCORE Association, SCORE.org

Funded, in part, through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

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Product Strategy: What It Is, How To Build One, and Examples

Bailey Maybray

Published: June 01, 2023

To create innovative and beloved products, companies have to understand their buyers, identify the problems they want to solve, and then develop and launch the solution successfully.

Product Strategy: A hand places a chess piece on a board.

An important part of the process: having a product strategy that integrates different aspects of  product development , and serves as a compass for the entire organization.

What Is Product Strategy?

Product strategy is the overarching plan explaining what your business aims to achieve with a product or feature. It includes how you plan to create the product, how it will impact buyers, and how it helps achieve your business goals.

It guides the ideation, creation, and launch of your product. Though some products — such as the microwave and super glue — happen accidentally, the majority of successful products have an underlying, high-level product strategy to back it up.

Having a cohesive strategy helps different teams stay on track, and they will refer to it when they have questions or need to make decisions. Once you have a solid strategy set, you can then build out a product roadmap and, eventually, the actual product.

Product Strategy Framework Components

A product strategy often includes three core components: your market vision, product goals, and product initiatives.

Market Vision

Your market vision includes two aspects: the target audience and the business opportunity. It highlights how you plan to position the product and how it compares to competitors. Your vision should also explain how you plan to deliver a competitive offer that solves customers’ problems.

For example, a software company that creates a product management tool, similar to Asana or Trello, might include the following in their market vision:

  • Audience: executive-level product managers
  • Product positioning: an intuitive, easy-to-use interface for less technologically savvy users
  • Competition: existing products are unspecialized, clunky, and hard to use

Product Goals

When measuring the success of a strategy, you need time-bound, measurable goals. For example, you could set a goal of having a customer retention rate of 97% or driving $50m+ in revenue in three years.

A goal addresses a specific problem you aim to solve, usually with a tangible way of measuring progress.

Product Initiatives

Alongside specific goals, your product strategy should have a complementary big-picture component. An initiative should explain your company’s focus and areas of investment. For example, you might set an initiative to improve the responsiveness of an app.

Unlike a goal, an initiative involves complex planning that brings together multiple stakeholders to achieve long-term success, often spanning the entire product life cycle.

Many use goals as the foundation for their initiatives. For example, you might set a goal of reducing the churn rate by 15% in one year. An initiative, then, might be improving the performance and responsiveness of the app.

Product Strategy Examples

Consider a company that creates time management software. When crafting their product strategy, they might include:

  • Market vision: Create time management tools for senior managers in the software-as-a-service industry by providing an intuitive, easy-to-use interface — unlike competitors with clunkier software
  • Product goal: Maintain a retention rate of 98% in the first year
  • Product initiative: Improve the product's user experience and interface

Their market vision explains their target audience (senior management) alongside their competitive offering (an easy-to-use, UX-friendly interface).

Their product goal has a time constraint and a specific, measurable objective. The initiative — which has a more high-level aspect — complements the product goal, as improving user experience will likely increase retention rate.

Using another example, an artificial intelligence writing startup might have the following components in their product strategy:

  • Market vision: Create an easy-to-use AI writing tool for small-business owners looking to save money on SEO and content creation — unlike competitors with unfocused writing tools
  • Product goal: Acquire 500 users in the first three months
  • Product initiative: Measure and optimize marketing campaigns promoting the AI tool

The company’s market vision explains both their audience and their differentiating factor. Similarly, their goal of acquiring a certain number of users goes hand in hand with their initiative — optimizing their product’s marketing.

The Importance of Having a Product Strategy

A product strategy gives teams direction — 35% of product teams reported wishing they had a clearer vision and purpose. It can also help your company increase collaboration, improve communication, and create better products.

Communicates Organizational Goals

A product strategy centers different stakeholders — including customer service, marketers, salespeople, and engineers — on one goal.

Although product managers , engineers, and developers may handle the day-to-day aspects of executing a product strategy, other departments need to know the product’s direction. For example, marketing and sales need to understand the most valuable features to create targeted promotions and advertisements.

Given that almost nine in 10 professionals blame a lack of communication for workplace failure, a product strategy can keep everyone aligned.

Defines Your Product’s Place in the Market

It’s near impossible to serve everyone in a market — and many startups fail because they misread market demand.

A product strategy helps set you apart from competitors because it answers the why behind your product. Creating a detailed plan forces you to spend time thinking about how to differentiate it from your rivals.

Enables the Creation of a Product Roadmap

As a result of creating a product strategy, you’ll set goals — both big-picture and specific ones. You can then use them as the basis for a detailed product roadmap . Since organizations waste 12% of resources due to ineffective product management , a solid product strategy optimizes that process.

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Types of Product Strategies

Cost Strategy: Creating the best product for the lowest possible cost. This strategy works well in industries where customers put little thought into purchases, such as household cleaning products or toothbrushes.

Differentiation Strategy: Creating a product with a unique, standout feature. This can include a never-before-seen feature on a product or creating a product with whacky branding.

Focus Strategy: Creating a product that targets one specific buyer persona. This means focusing all your energy on a small set of people. You end up creating highly personalized products that gain significant brand loyalty .

Quality Strategy: Creating a product only using high-quality materials. This strategy naturally targets customers who have limited concern for price. To them, the quality or prestige justifies the high price — such as a luxury handbag.

Service Strategy: Creating a product complemented by high-quality customer service . Though the product still has to meet customer needs, this strategy leverages effective customer service to help build brand loyalty.

How To Create a Product Strategy

Creating a product strategy comes down to figuring out your market vision, product goals, and product initiatives.

Create Your Market Vision

Your market vision is a high-level overview of your company, competitors, your buyers, and your concept. To create it, consider jotting down bullet points for the following:

  • Competitors : What companies currently dominate the market?
  • Company weaknesses: Where does your company struggle?
  • Company strengths: Where does your company excel?
  • Buyer personas : Who is your target audience?
  • Marketspace: What does the industry look like?
  • Go-to-market plan : How will you promote your solution?

Set Product Goals

Next, set product goals for your strategy. Make them both time-bound and numbers-oriented, so you can measure progress and success throughout the process. To start, write down a few notes for the following:

  • Timeline: Is it flexible or rigid? How volatile is the market?
  • Metrics: What metrics does your business care the most about? What does your business hope to achieve with the product?
  • Teams: What internal stakeholders should be in the know? How can you best keep them informed?

Create Product Initiatives

Product initiatives require less specificity than product goals — but they complement each other. You want to understand your company’s big picture. So, look through your goals and see how they relate to more high-level aspirations.

To help you get started, try these different methods:

  • Collaborate with stakeholders: Ask others in the organization. What areas do they want to prioritize? Where do they see the company investing its time and resources in?
  • Look at buyer personas: What do they care about most? Where do you foresee them having problems using your product?
  • Analyze your company: What does your company need the most? Money? Users? Publicity?

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How to Write a Bar Business Plan + Free Sample Plan PDF

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Elon Glucklich

6 min. read

Updated March 17, 2024

Free Downloads: Sample Bar and Brewery Business Plan Templates

From sports bars to neighborhood pubs to upscale cocktail bars—drinking establishments are one of the oldest and most enduring types of businesses.

And the industry is projected to grow nearly 2.5% between 2023 and 2030, leaving plenty of opportunity for new businesses..

But competition in the bar industry can be fierce. You need to know your clientele, competitors, and how you’ll stand out if you want to succeed. Not to mention mapping out all the details of your financials and operations. 

Luckily, you can cover all of that (and more) by writing a business plan.

  • What should you include in a bar business plan?

These are the typical sections to consider including in your bar business plan.

  • Executive Summary
  • Market Analysis
  • Marketing and Sales Strategy 
  • Operations Plan
  • Business Overview

Financial plan

The sections you need will vary depending on why you’re writing a business plan and what you intend to do with it . 

Suppose it’s to manage your operations and not something you expect anyone outside of the business to read. In that case, consider keeping it to a few pages and skipping sections like the executive summary.

If you’re applying for a loan, then you’ll need a more formal plan that includes all the sections listed above.

Check out our step-by-step guide to writing a full business plan for more details.

A sample bar business plan outline.

  • The 6 elements of an effective bar business plan

Executive summary

Your executive summary is a short, high-level overview of your entire plan. 

The summary should give readers a sense of what factors will make your bar successful. That could include securing a high-visibility location, partnering with a chef who will oversee meal preparation, or negotiating deals with brewers to get their beers in your bar.

If you’re seeking a bank loan for your bar, the lender will read your executive summary first. In all likelihood, they won’t read any further unless the executive summary grabs their attention. 

So, make it clear and convincing.

Market analysis

The market analysis may be the most important part of your entire business plan. 

It’s where you carefully research and document:

  • Who your target customers are
  • What they want
  • What other establishments they may consider

Start by identifying the size of your market . Focus on the number of potential customers above the legal drinking age in your area. Then, segment these customers based on demographics such as age, income level, and lifestyle preferences. 

Then look into who you will be competing with. List and research other bars as well as indirect competition from restaurants, clubs, and even grocery stores that sell beer or home entertainment options.

Here are a few examples of what this process will look like:

Bar customer segmentation

If you find there are a lot of college students and younger adults near your bar location, you should cater your offerings to their tastes. But if you’re near office buildings or event venues, you may want to focus on older customers with more disposable income.

Will you offer a more diverse drink menu, better food, or a unique theme? Explain how these factors will set your bar apart and attract customers. Or, if your area lacks a certain type of bar, such as a sports bar or a high-end cocktail lounge, describe how filling this gap in the market will serve as your competitive advantage.

Marketing and sales strategy

Your market analysis gives you insights into potential customers. Your marketing and sales strategy is where you use those insights to get those customers in your door.

As you looked around at your competitive landscape, maybe you gained some insight into how your ideal customers discover new bars — through social media, online reviews, local event listings, or word-of-mouth.

Start by developing marketing strategies that are tailored to those channels . Consider tactics like:

  • Creating engaging social media content showcasing your unique drinks, events and ambiance.
  • Partnering with local businesses or events to increase visibility.
  • Introducing special promotions to encourage repeat visits and attract new customers.
  • Hosting themed nights or events to create buzz and attract specific customer segments.

In your business plan, document how you will implement these efforts and the resources required. 

Operations plan

The operations section of your business plan is where you detail the day-to-day requirements for running the bar smoothly. Start by describing your physical space and key equipment, such as:

  • Beverage dispensing systems
  • Glassware and utensils

Specify the types and number of each that you’ll need. Then you can address staffing needs, describing the roles of bartenders, servers, and support staff. Document in your plan that you’ll have a staffing strategy to cover peak hours.

You should also cover inventory management. Describe how you’ll stock alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, ingredients for cocktails and food. Be sure to spend time discussing supply chains for sourcing these ingredients.

Document the types of technology you’re using, like point-of-sale systems, inventory tracking, or customer reservation platforms. 

Finally, ensure that your operations plan demonstrates how you will comply with any licensing, health and safety regulations and that you have a plan for ensuring responsible customer behavior.

Business overview

The overview should fill in any gaps the reader may have, including:

  • The name of your bar
  • When it was founded (if it’s an existing business)
  • The inspiration behind the business

You should include the background and qualifications of key team members here. Include their experience in the bar industry and any other experience that’s relevant to their position.

If you’re running an existing bar, discuss previous achievements like revenue milestones, recognitions, or community events you’ve hosted.

You don’t need a deep financial background to run a successful business. But it’s important to develop projections for how you expect the bar to perform. If you’re starting a new bar, consider that you’ll need to pay upfront costs like equipment, supplies, licenses and rent.

Then there are the ongoing costs like employee salaries, marketing, and continuing to keep your shelves stocked.

Making educated guesses about the future will help you determine what’s working, and where you should make adjustments as you run your business.

Include sales and expense forecasts in your plan. The financial section also should include a cash flow statement , income statement , and balance sheet .

Remember, no one knows exactly how the future will pan out — these projections are your baseline for how you think the business will do, and you’ll adjust them over time as you update your plan with actual results.

  • Bar business plan templates and examples

To see how other bar businesses have created their plans, browse our free library of bar and brewery business plans . You can also check out our full selection of food and beverage business plans , or our entire library of over 550 business plans across industries.

Download as many as you want in PDF or Word format to help you write your own business plan.

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See why 1.2 million entrepreneurs have written their business plans with LivePlan

Content Author: Elon Glucklich

Elon is a marketing specialist at Palo Alto Software, working with consultants, accountants, business instructors and others who use LivePlan at scale. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and an MBA from the University of Oregon.

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    Startup Business Plan Template. The term "startup" has become a familiar part of the business lexicon and is often used to describe fast-growing, entrepreneur-led companies in the technology sector. Actually, a startup is any business enterprise that has recently been established. If you are in the early stages of starting a business, one ...

  6. Business Plan Templates for Startups

    That's why we created the Startup Business Plan Template - an easy-to-use editable template that provides guidance on writing a high-quality business plan (or checking what you already have so far). Here's what the kit contains: Guidelines for Writing a rockstar business plan. The nine components your business plan needs.

  7. Tech Startup Business Plan Template

    This Tech Startup Business Plan template is designed for tech startup founders, investors, and teams who are looking to launch a new tech venture. The template helps you to plan and organize all the important aspects of your business and provides a comprehensive overview of your strategy, goals, and objectives. With this template, you can ...

  8. Free startup plan template to solidify your business details

    OPERATIONS PLAN. In building your operations plan, you should expect to get into the real behind-the-scenes details. You should highlight each role in the business, the number of staff members, the supplier (s) you will use, staff background and experience, and more. Personnel, licenses, and general expenses can also be described here ...

  9. How to Write a Startup Business Plan + Free Templates (2024)

    Startup Business Plan. We have created this business plan template to write a business plan for new startup businesses Our template includes template outline extensive help and step by step guide for writing a winning business plan. Starting a business is an exciting and overwhelming prospect at the same time.

  10. Startup Business Plans 101: Your Path to Success

    Startup Business Plans 101: Your Path to Success. It's time — you've got a promising idea and you're now prepared to invest the necessary effort to turn it into reality. Startup business plans are vital hack tools that will guide you through your entrepreneurial journey and a business venture with clarity and purpose.

  11. 550+ Sample Business Plan Examples to Inspire Your Own

    Download a free sample business plan template. Ready to start writing your own plan but aren't sure where to start? Download our free business plan template that's been updated for 2024. This simple, modern, investor-approved business plan template is designed to make planning easy. It's a proven format that has helped over 1 million businesses ...

  12. How To Write A Business Plan (2024 Guide)

    Describe Your Services or Products. The business plan should have a section that explains the services or products that you're offering. This is the part where you can also describe how they fit ...

  13. Startup Business Plan Template

    A startup business plan is, as the name suggests, a business plan for companies that are still in the startup phase. A startup company has to be prepared for future problems. A business plan helps it be prepared for the unexpected by giving insights into the market and competition. If the product it produces is not successful, a startup should ...

  14. Simple Business Plan Template (2024)

    Start with our free business plan template that covers the six essential elements of a startup. Once downloaded, you can edit this document in Google Docs or another word processing app and add ...

  15. 2024 Business Plan Template for Startups & Businesses

    A business plan template is a document that allows you to quickly write a detailed business plan. Among other things, it includes all key business plan sections: an executive summary, company description, industry and market analyses, competitive overview, marketing and operations plans, management team and five year financial projections.

  16. Startup Business Plan template

    Free. Pitch · Updated Jun 11, 2023. Use this template. Lay out your startup's business plan with this free template. Use it as a framework to talk about your objectives, the product you're ...

  17. Simple Business Plan Template For Startup Founders

    3. Supplement the business plan with supporting documents. While simple business plans are fast and effective, they leave out a lot of information by nature. Consider supplementing the plan with appendices such as financial statements, data sets, and market analyses. 4. Be conservative with financial estimates.

  18. Business Plan Template for a Startup Business

    The template includes easy-to-follow instructions for completing each business plan section, questions to help you think through each aspect, and corresponding fillable worksheet/s for critical sections. After you complete the 11 worksheets, you will have a working business plan for your startup to show your SCORE mentor.

  19. Free editable and printable business plan templates

    Skip to start of list. 676 templates. Create a blank Business Plan. Beige Aesthetic Modern Business Plan A4 Document. Document by Rise & Roar Design. Navy and Gray Modern Business Plan Cover Document. Document by Banuaa. Blue Modern Minimalist Startup Business Plan. Document by Maea Studio.

  20. Startup

    Launch your startup with a solid plan using this inspiring business plan template. Help your startup thrive with the help of Visme's exceptional business plan template. Take a look through our broad range of stunning stock images to find the visuals that perfectly complement your work. Add some extra flair to your design by incorporating ...

  21. Business Planning & Financial Statements Template Gallery

    To increase your odds of a successful business startup, download this step-by-step business plan template you can use to plan for your new business. Business Plan Template for an Established Business Download our free business plan template for your established business as a Word doc.

  22. Product Strategy: What It Is, How To Build One, and Examples

    It guides the ideation, creation, and launch of your product. Though some products — such as the microwave and super glue — happen accidentally, the majority of successful products have an underlying, high-level product strategy to back it up. Having a cohesive strategy helps different teams stay on track, and they will refer to it when they have questions or need to make decisions.

  23. Comprehensive Startup Business Plan Template & Guide

    This template includes instructions for each section of the business plan, followed by corresponding fillable worksheet/s. The last section in the instructions, "Refining Your Plan," explains ways you may need to modify your plan for specific purposes, such as getting a bank loan, or for specific industries, such as retail.

  24. How to Write a Bar Business Plan + Free Sample Plan PDF

    Start with a business plan. To stand out in the bar industry, build a deep knowledge of your local market and offer customers something unique. Read why a business plan will help you succeed. ... Free business plan template. A fill-in-the-blank template designed for business owners. Download Now. Sample Plans. Popular Plans. Coffee Shop ...