Who is a business plan used by?
Robert Miller
Updated on March 05, 2026
A business plan is a written document describing a company’s core business activities, objectives, and how it plans to achieve its goals. Startup companies use business plans to get off the ground and attract outside investors.
Are business plans used for potential investors and banks?
Perhaps, one of the most common uses of a business plan is to attract investors to finance a new business idea. A business plan has become a standard document for investors and funders to evaluate new businesses.
Who needs the business plan the most?
You need a business plan if you’re applying for a business loan. Most banks require it, and even those that don’t strictly require it expect it. They expect it to be a summary of the business, with some predictable key points. You need a business plan if you’re looking for business investment.
Why are business plan used for potential investors and banks?
What makes a good business plan for investors?
A good business plan does more than just inform readers about what your company does, how you earn money, or what you want to do. It persuades the reader that your company is awesome, gets them excited about the opportunity to get involved, and makes them want to help you succeed. But how do you write a good business plan for investors?
What should be included in a business plan?
Be intentional about the statistics you include in the plan. Include only numbers that really help to illustrate: the size of the opportunity your company is positioned to address; the demand for your solution; the growth of the audience/demand for your product that is already happening; and competitor analysis.
How many pages should a business plan be?
The average business plan should be around 15 pages — no more than 20. In the past, the average business plan was anywhere from 40 to 100 pages, and guess what they found out? No one was reading all of that. So don’t let important information about your company get lost in a jumble of words.