Business plans used to be really popular, but at least for Startups (and VC) it tends to be pitch decks (the Y Combinator one, you can google is particularly good)

whether you do a pitch deck or a business plan in a more conventional sense you still want to cover areas such as. - competitors (and features and why you are better than them); total market size? beachhead of the market, the customer personal, you want to articulate the problem, how your solution solves the problem, how your business will make money.

personally, what i find more important than a pitchdeck or a business plan is the financial model - i was speaking with a fellow VC at a conference and we agreed, if the financial model is sufficiently good, we can understand most of what the business is trying to do, how it will do it, how it will make money and how it will grow, so then we only need addressable market size data, and verification that the founders assumptions are realistic and achievable - TL;DR - do the financial model first and use it to plan.

you can find sample templates only and use Word/Excel to write your plan…there is no magic app, just do it!!

There are conventional business plan structures, but the type of business plan you develop largely depends on your business type and startup strategy. For example, if you’re hiring or partnering with people and need funding, you’ll need a more traditional, detailed business plan that includes goals, operations, financial projections, and so on. My clients and I have used templates available from Microsoft, BPlans, and SBA.

But if you’re planning to start more as a solopreneur and add people as you grow, forget the colors and flashy icons and develop a short, 1-page business plan. It will save time, be a more useful tool, and force you to be very targeted and focused. You can Google 1-page business plans and use what you like.

Hope this helps.

Use ChatGPT. ChatGPT can build you a structure and fill out the sections. Steam line the process for you.

Here is a hint from the other side of the table, most people don’t read them very thoroughly.

Why are you wanting a plan? Are you starting a business or are you seeking funding, or both?

I’ve used this site highnote.io

Heres a template in a doc down the page. https://highnote.io/templates/decks/

That website has alot of info although google is your best friend, so many templates for different industries.

Of course! No question is too naive, especially when diving into entrepreneurship.

For creating a business plan, while Microsoft Word can suffice for basic text formatting, there are specific software options designed for business planning that might make your life easier. Tools like LivePlan, Bizplan, or even Google Docs with templates dedicated to business plans could be more tailored and efficient. They often provide guidance and prompts for each section of your plan.

As for finding real business plan examples, there are numerous resources available online. Websites like Bplans, the Small Business Administration (SBA) website, or industry-specific websites often showcase sample business plans. These examples can offer insights into structure, content, and formatting based on real-world cases.

As for style, the effectiveness of a business plan lies in its clarity and content rather than flashy design. While it’s important to make it visually appealing, focusing excessively on colors and flashy icons might distract from the actual content. Clear, concise, and well-organized information is key. Think more along the lines of professional formatting, consistent fonts, and visuals that enhance understanding rather than overwhelm.

Ultimately, the content and substance of your plan matter most. Investors and stakeholders are usually more interested in the viability of your idea, your market analysis, and your strategy rather than fancy design elements. Focus on making it easy to read and understand the core of your business concept and strategies.

I made one 13 years ago, and again last year.

Word and Excel, well-organized, easy to understand graphs, got financed both times.