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BDC has created the following assistance package for companies active in the knowledge-based and high technology industries. When developing your business plan, pay particular attention these 3 points in your business plan:
Requirements for these sections are over and above the information required for a standard business plan.
By developing the following information for these sections in your business proposal, our account managers can better evaluate your project. You will thus obtain an answer more rapidly.
Market
- Which market does your company target (regional, national, and/or international)? Specify the size of this market and its anticipated growth rate.
- Have you done or commissioned market studies? Be sure to include these reports when submitting your business plan. Note: it is important to provide independent studies and to indicate the source of your information.
- Will you be filling new needs or replacing existing products? If so, which ones?
- Which means will you be using to ensure your products/services meet, and will continue to meet, identified market needs?
- What are your strategic, technological, and market intelligence activities?
- Who is responsible for these activities?
Customer Profile
- Do you have signed agreements with your customers?
- What are their needs?
- How do your products/services meet these needs? Be precise, quantify what you bring to them, and that they do not get your products/services from anywhere else. Provide outside evaluation whenever available.
Competition
- Who are the leaders in this market?
- Which market share do they hold? Be precise - give numbered estimates that can be validated. Provide an estimate of their market positions in relation to your company.
- Give details on their products/services and their distribution network. Relate these to your company and products. Provide factual information on quality, technological aspects, service, warranty, etc.
Marketing
- How do you market your products?
- Do you have signed agreements? Reciprocal agreements? What is their duration?
- Which promotional tools do you use i.e. Internet banners, stands at distributors' sites, participation at trade fairs, etc.?
Distribution Network
- Describe your distribution strategy in detail (price, gross margin).
- Which distribution channels do you use?
- How have you structured your distribution network (retailers, authorized distributors, direct sales, etc.)? Who are they?
Research & Development
- Are your products/services protected by patents, trademarks? Provide information for each product/service and the countries where they are registered.
- What is your R & D programme? Outline it with relevant budgets and deadlines.
- How does your company protect its intellectual property rights for the products developed as part of the above programme?
- Do you regularly claim tax rebates for your R & D ? Supply a detailed list of these claims.
- Is your company presently involved in any litigation regarding intellectual property?
Financial Situation
Past
- Provide your company's financial history: annual audited financial statements for the past 5 years, including a ratio analysis.
- Provide the last interim financial statement which can be produced in-house.
Future
- Consider a forward timeline of 3 years where year 1 is the current year. Provide financial projections for the next 2 years (years 2 and 3) on a monthly basis. Remember to clarify the underlying assumptions on which you base these projections.
Project
- Provide a detailed budget for your new project. Indicate the planned financing sources and the repayment terms. Be specific as to the expected benefits from this project.
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