7 Things Investors won’t tell you about B-plansThe “Art” of B-PlansAscent’09 Indian Institute Of Management, Calcutta (Joka)RudraKamalSinha Roy, iViZ Security

What will we discuss?How investors look at your Bplan?1 golden rule BEFORE writing a B-Plan3 success tips before we start5 killer tactics to evaluate your planThe ultimate Bplan Template5 “Not-to-be” said sentences2 Easiest way to get dumped!

By the way..Let me introduce myself before we dive into excitement..Early Member at iViZ Security (Ah Yes the first one!)IDG Ventures Funded which has earlier funded companies like Netscape, Myspace amongst several othersTechnology Pioneers 2008Hottest Startup 2008Red Herring 100 Top 2 in Asia; Top 8 in the WorldTop 4 Emerging Product Companies

How investors look at your Bplan?Investors don’t quite really look at your B-planThey look at you:Your conviction in the productYour ability to sellYour preparednessYour ability to executeYour vision and self beliefYour Team : Most important!

1 golden rule BEFORE writing a B-PlanThinking about starting your own company? Don’t write a B-plan Get Customers First and Then Write a Business PlanIf Nobody Buys, it’s Not a Business!Validate your conceptValidate your Key assumptionsBetter forecasts for your B-planInvestors wants results not ideas So…put down your pen and pick up the phone!

3 Success Tips before we start..Don’t waste time on long introductions.Be passionate, convincing, interesting.Give “Me” a story and I will give “You” moneyOkay here goes our story…

5 killer tactics to evaluate your planWhat important customer problem can you solve?How are you going to do it?How many customers are there that are willing to buy from you? (besides your girl friend)Why can only you provide the solution?How can you defend against others?Ask these questions BEFORE an investors does! Else…

What important customer problem can you solve?How valuable?How painful?Remember, you need to change somebody’s behavior to buy your product.

How many customers are there that are willing to buy from you?How many customers are there? (Market size)How many will buy from you? (Market share)Who will be/is your first customer (besides your girl friend)?Who will be your 100th?

Why can only you provide the solution?Execution is the KeyHow are you unique? What do you provide that nobody else can? (Team, prior execution capabilities, start-up experience etc)Remember: Moderate Idea + Great Team > Great Idea + Moderate Team

How can you defend against others?Can your competitor copy it easily with additional resources?What prevents them from doing it?Location, brand, patent (or other IP), great service, great taste etc..Remember: You can’t copy execution!

The Ultimate B-Plan TemplateI’ll share a separate B-plan template after this session.

5 “Not-to-be” said sentences..1. There is no competition 2. The VCs are guaranteed to make money3. I already have other VCs begging to put money4. We can build the product in 90 days5. I will quit my job when you fund me

2 Easiest way to get dumped!“If I had been given more time, I would have been able to explain better and you would have understood how great our business is.”“I am only presenting a conservative plan. We will actually have a lot of upside.”

4 Reasons Why some Ideas NEVER make itLack of conviction and beliefMultiple FocusErroneous ExecutionLack of Time to succeed

Okay, so all these if done correctly leads to..

* Great B-Plans!

Business Idea Evaluation Framework