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SBA Business Plan Template

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Use our free and fully customizable SBA business plan template to get started when writing a successful proposal for an SBA loan.

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Created by:

​ [Sender.FirstName] [Sender.LastName] ​

​ [Sender.Company] ​

Prepared for:

​ [Recipient.FirstName] [Recipient.LastName]

​ [Recipient.Company] ​

​ [Sender.Company] – SBA Business Plan

(company.tagline).

​ [Sender.Email] ​

​ [Sender.Phone] ​

(Company.Website)

​ [Sender.StreetAddress] [Sender.City] [Sender.State] [Sender.PostalCode] ​

Executive Summary

​ [Sender.PostalCode] is a new business focusing on providing (Product.Service) to residents located in the surrounding areas of (Location). The target market is (Target.Market), with the demographics of the target audience within (Number) miles of (Location) as follows:

(Number) residents

Average income of $(Income)

(Percentage)% married

(Percentage)% in professional/Mgt. Occupations

Median Age: (Number) years

The significant figures part of this start-up are (Owner.Name), the company owner, and (Shareholder.Name), (Shareholder.Name), and (Shareholder.Name) as shareholders of the company.

This business plan aims to reach the following goals:

(Goal) – (Basic.Description)

The requested SBA capital is $(Amount), while the income, expenses, and revenue predicted for this plan are as follows:

Projected annual income: $(Amount)

Projected annual expenses: $(Amount)

Projected annual revenue: $(Amount)

The predicted benefits of establishing this business in the area are:

(Benefit.One)

(Benefit.Two)

(Benefit.Three)

(Benefit.Four)

Company Description

​ [Sender.Company] is located at [Sender.StreetAddress] [Sender.City] [Sender.State] [Sender.PostalCode] and is an (Company.Type) (such as LLC, sole proprietorship, etc.). After in-depth research into the (Product.Type) market, we have identified several areas that could be improved:

(Market.Gaps) – (Description)

In response to these problems, we have created several solutions as part of our company aims:

(Solution.One) – (Description)

(Solution.Two) – (Description)

(Solution.Three) – (Description)

We are also planning to grow the company, eventually expanding into (Location), (Location), and (Location), where we have identified similar market gaps.

Management Organization

The following persons of interest fill these positions in [Sender.Company] ​

Hiring Plan

(Owner.Name) will serve as the overall manager for hiring new employees. We will fill the following positions during the start-up operations:

(Number) (Job.Positio)

Market Plan and Analysis

Industry analysis.

The following industry statistics and size facts show that the business will do well in (Location).

Market Size: (Size)

Market Growth: (Growth.Speed)

Market Trends

We have identified the following market trends and how they will impact our business plan positively:

(Market.Trend) – (Impact)

Competitive Landscape

Market reports show the following competitive landscape:

(Competition.Chart)

Our biggest competitor currently is (Primary.Competitor), which has (Strengths), but also critical weaknesses like (Weaknesses). Our business has the following strengths, enabling us to overcome the competition and gain an edge in the market.

​ [Sender.Company] will serve residents within (Number) miles of (Location). The following location demographics are present in the surrounding area:

Our primary focus groups are:

(Primary.FocusGroup) – (Reason)

(Secondary.FocusGroup) – (Reason)

(Tertiary.FocusGroup) – (Reason)

Goals, Objectives, and Operations

The goals of [Sender.Company] with this business are:

The objectives of [Sender.Company] with this business are:

Products and Services

​ [Sender.Company] focuses on selling (Products.Services) to the general public (Or retailers, fill this section with a broad idea of your primary target market). These products/services include:

(Description of products/services)

Marketing and Sales

The [Sender.Company] will focus on its unique value proposition, offering (Selling.Point) in a convenient location for customers. Besides excelling in customer service and building a trusted reputation in the community, we will reach out to the community via the following methods:

Email Campaign

We will blanket the surrounding neighborhoods with direct emails. This email campaign will share information on [Sender.Company] and give inducements to convince residents to try out the business.

Public Relations

​ [Sender.Company] will contact the community and local news outlets to explain our unique offering.

Advertising

We will advertise in the local area and newspapers to gain awareness among the community.

Social Media

Social media accounts will ensure we can gain a following in the market. The pamphlets, emails, and website will have direct links to these platforms to grow the interest in the brand.

Pre-Opening Events

​ [Sender.Company] will organize pre-opening events to attract prospective customers. We will invite press contacts and local merchants to these events to place attention on the brand.

Customer Communication

Continuous customer communications will be available through a website and monthly newsletter to tell the community about our deals, products, and services.

Financial Data and Forecast

Total funding required: $(Amoun)

Lease and renovation of retail store: $(Amount)

Working capital until break-even: $(Amount)

Funding received to date: $(Amount)

Budget still required: $(Amount)

Funding Request

The total funding [Sender.Company] ​ required to start up this business is $(Amount). We will use this funding as follows:

Capital Request and Repayment

We request $(Funding.Amount) to start up this business, and plan to repay it over the following period:

Appendix Documentation

Business licenses

Permits and certifications

Reference letters

Product photos

Business owner resumes

Contractual agreements pertaining to this business

Legal documents related to this business

​ [Recipient.FirstName] [Recipient.LastName] ​

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How To Write SBA Business Plan With Free Template

A business plan is a vital document for any entrepreneur who wants to start or grow a small business. It outlines your vision, goals, strategies, market analysis, financial projections, and more. It helps you to organize your thoughts, identify potential challenges and opportunities, and communicate your vision to others. A well-written business plan can also help you secure funding from the Small Business Administration (SBA), which offers loans and grants to eligible small businesses. The SBA has specific requirements and standards for business plans, and you need to follow them carefully if you want to increase your chances of getting approved.

In this blog post, we will guide you through the steps of writing a SBA business plan with an example. We will cover the following topics:

SBA – what is it? & What is the purpose of the SBA business plan?

What are the main components of a SBA business plan?

How to write each section of a sba business plan with an example.

How to format and present your SBA business plan?

SBA Business Plan Template

Creating a business plan that meets the standards of the Small Business Administration (SBA) can be challenging, but not with our SBA Business Plan Template. This template is based on the best practices and guidelines of the SBA, and it will walk you through the key sections of a business plan, such as the executive summary, market analysis, competitive advantage, financial projections, and more. You can easily adapt the template to your specific industry, niche, and goals, and save yourself time and hassle in the process. Our SBA Business Plan Template is not just a document – it’s a tool that will help you secure funding, attract customers, and grow your business successfully. We have years of experience in helping small businesses achieve their dreams, and we are confident that our template will help you too.

SBA - what is it? and what is the purpose of the SBA business plan?

What is sba.

SBA stands for  Small Business Administration . It is an independent agency of the United States government that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. The SBA is a valuable resource for small businesses. If you are starting or running a small business, the SBA can help you get the financing, counseling, and training you need to succeed.

The SBA offers a variety of programs and services, including:

Loans: The SBA guarantees loans made by banks and other lenders to small businesses. This can help small businesses get the financing they need to start or grow their business. Surety Bonds: The SBA provides surety bonds to small businesses that need them to bid on government contracts. This can help small businesses compete for government contracts that they might not otherwise be able to get. Consulting: The SBA offers counseling and training to small businesses on a variety of topics, such as business planning , marketing, and financial management. Government Contracting: The SBA helps small businesses get government contracts. The SBA has a set-aside program that reserves a certain percentage of government contracts for small businesses. Advocacy: The SBA advocates on behalf of small businesses in Washington, D.C. The SBA works to ensure that small businesses have a voice in the federal government.

Here are some of the benefits of SBA loans:

Low interest rates:   SBA loans  typically have lower interest rates than conventional loans. This can save you money on your monthly payments. Longer repayment terms: SBA loans typically have longer repayment terms than conventional loans. This can give you more time to pay back your loan. Guarantee: The SBA guarantees 75% of SBA loans. This means that the lender is only at risk for 25% of the loan amount. This makes it easier for small businesses to get approved for loans.

Learn how to write a  business plan for loan in just 7 simple steps

Purpose of sba business plan.

The purpose of an SBA business plan is to provide a roadmap for your business. It should outline your goals, strategies, and financial projections. The SBA business plan is a requirement for many SBA loans, but it can also be a valuable tool for any small business owner. If you are thinking about starting or running a small business, an SBA business plan is a valuable tool. It can help you to secure funding, guide your business, attract investors, improve your management skills, and track your progress.

Here are some of the specific purposes of an SBA business plan:

• To secure funding:  The SBA business plan is a key document that lenders will review when considering your loan application. It will help them to understand your business and its potential for success.
• To guide your business:  The SBA business plan can help you to stay focused on your goals and make informed decisions about your business. It can also help you to identify potential problems and develop solutions.
• To attract investors:  If you are looking to attract investors, an SBA business plan can be a valuable tool. It will help you to communicate your vision for your business and convince investors  that your business is a good investment.
• To improve your management skills:  The process of writing an SBA business plan can help you to improve your management skills. It will force you to think critically about your business and develop a plan for its success.
• To track your progress:  The SBA business plan can be used to track your progress and make adjustments as needed. It can also help you to identify areas where your business is doing well and areas where it needs improvement.

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The main components of an SBA business plan are:

• Executive summary:  This is a brief overview of your business, including its products or services, target market, and competitive advantages.
• Company description:  This section provides more detailed information about your business, such as its history, legal structure, and management team.
• Products and services:  This section describes the products or services that your business offers.
• Market analysis:  This section analyzes your target market, including its size, growth potential, and competitive landscape.
• Marketing plan:  This section outlines your strategies for reaching and acquiring customers.
• Operations plan:  This section describes how your business will be run on a day-to-day basis.
• Management team:  This section introduces your management team and their qualifications.
• Financial projections:  This section provides estimates of your business’s revenue, expenses, and cash flow.
• Appendix:  This section includes supporting documents, such as financial statements, marketing materials, and product samples.

The SBA does not have a set format for business plans, so you can tailor your plan to the specific requirements of the lender you are applying to. However, the SBA does recommend that all business plans include the following elements:

• A clear and concise overview of your business
• A realistic assessment of your market and competition
• A well-defined marketing plan
• A sound financial plan
• A strong management team

If you are applying for an SBA loan , it is important to carefully prepare your business plan. The SBA will review your plan carefully to assess the viability of your business and your chances of success.

Here are some additional tips for writing an SBA business plan:

• Be clear and concise. The SBA reviewers are busy people, so they don’t have time to read through long, rambling business plans.
• Be realistic. Don’t make unrealistic projections about your revenue or growth.
• Be specific. Don’t just say that you’re going to “market your product.” Explain exactly how you’re going to do it.
• Be persuasive. The goal of your business plan is to convince the SBA to lend you money. So make sure your plan is well-written and persuasive.

Access our 14 free sample business plans now!

A business plan is a document that describes your business idea, goals, strategies, and operations. It helps you communicate your vision to potential investors, lenders, partners, and customers. It also helps you plan and manage your business effectively.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a standard business plan template that you can use to write your own plan. The template consists of eight major sections that cover the essential aspects of your business. Here is a brief overview of each section and an example of how to write it.

• Exective Summary
• Company Description
• Market Analysis
• Organization and Management
• Product or Service Description
• Marketing and Sales
• Funding Request
• Financial Projections

1. Exective Summary

This section summarizes the main points of your business plan in one or two pages. It should capture the reader’s attention and interest, and highlight your unique value proposition, target market, competitive advantage, financial projections, and funding needs. You should write this section last, after completing the rest of your plan.

XYZ Inc. is a software company that develops and sells cloud-based solutions for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Our products help SMBs manage their accounting, invoicing, payroll, inventory, and customer relationship management (CRM) processes more efficiently and securely.

We have a proven track record of delivering high-quality software solutions to over 1,000 customers across various industries. We have a strong team of experienced developers, marketers, and customer support specialists who are passionate about solving our customers’ problems and providing them with exceptional service.

We are seeking $500,000 in debt financing from the SBA to expand our product portfolio, increase our marketing efforts, and hire more staff. We expect to generate $2 million in revenue and $500,000 in net income in the first year of operation, and grow at an annual rate of 25% for the next five years.

2. Company Description

This section provides detailed information about your company’s history, mission, vision, values, goals, objectives, legal structure, ownership, location, and facilities. It should also describe the problems your business solves, the customers you serve, and the competitive advantages that make your business stand out.

XYZ Inc. was founded in 2019 by John Smith and Jane Doe, two software engineers who saw a gap in the market for affordable and easy-to-use cloud-based solutions for SMBs. They started developing their first product, XYZ Accounting, in their garage, and launched it in 2020 after securing their first customer.

Our mission is to empower SMBs with innovative and reliable software solutions that help them streamline their business processes and grow their revenue. Our vision is to become the leading provider of cloud-based solutions for SMBs in the U.S. and beyond. Our values are excellence, innovation, customer satisfaction, integrity, and teamwork.

We are a Delaware corporation with 10% ownership by John Smith, 10% ownership by Jane Doe, and 80% ownership by XYZ Holdings LLC, a holding company owned by John Smith and Jane Doe. We operate from our headquarters in San Francisco, California, where we have a 5,000 square foot office space that accommodates our development, marketing, and customer support teams. How to write each section of a SBA business plan with an example?

3. Market Analysis

This section analyzes the industry, market, and competition for your business. It should provide data and evidence to support your market opportunity, customer needs, demand, trends, growth potential, and competitive landscape. It should also explain how you plan to enter, position, and differentiate your business in the market.

The cloud-based software market for SMBs is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% from 2020 to 2025, reaching $50 billion in revenue by 2025, according to a report by Market Research Inc. The main drivers of this growth are the increasing adoption of cloud computing, the need for cost-effective and scalable solutions, and the demand for remote work and collaboration tools.

Our target market is SMBs in the U.S. that have between 10 and 500 employees and operate in various industries such as retail, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and professional services. We estimate that there are over 5 million SMBs in the U.S. that fit this criteria, and that they spend an average of $10,000 per year on software solutions.

Our main competitors are ABC Inc., DEF Inc., and GHI Inc., which offer similar cloud-based solutions for SMBs. However, we have several competitive advantages that set us apart from them:

– We offer a more comprehensive and integrated suite of products that cover all the essential business functions of SMBs. – We offer a more affordable and flexible pricing model that allows SMBs to pay only for what they use and scale up or down as needed. – We offer a more user-friendly and intuitive interface that makes our products easy to learn and use. – We offer a more personalized and responsive customer service that provides 24/7 support and training.

We plan to enter the market by leveraging our existing customer base, referrals, testimonials, and online reviews. We also plan to position our business as a one-stop shop for SMBs that need cloud-based solutions to run their businesses efficiently and securely. We also plan to differentiate our business by offering superior quality, value, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

4. Organization and Management

This section describes the organizational structure, management team, roles and responsibilities, qualifications, and compensation of your business. It should also include any advisors, consultants, board members, or key employees that are involved in your business. It should demonstrate how your team has the skills, experience, and expertise to execute your business plan successfully.

XYZ Inc. has a simple and flat organizational structure that consists of three main departments: development, marketing, and customer support. Each department is led by a manager who reports directly to the CEO. The CEO is also the co-founder and majority owner of the business.

Our management team consists of:

– John Smith: CEO and co-founder. John has over 10 years of experience in software development and management. He is responsible for overseeing the overall strategy, vision, and direction of the business.

– Jane Doe: CTO and co-founder. Jane has over 10 years of experience in software engineering and design. She is responsible for leading the development team and ensuring the quality and functionality of our products.

– Mark Lee: Marketing manager. Mark has over 5 years of experience in digital marketing and sales. He is responsible for leading the marketing team and executing the marketing strategy and campaigns.

– Lisa Kim: Customer support manager. Lisa has over 5 years of experience in customer service and training. She is responsible for leading the customer support team and providing excellent service and support to our customers.

We also have a board of advisors that consists of:

– Bob Jones: A seasoned entrepreneur and investor who has founded and sold several successful software companies.

– Mary Smith: A former SBA loan officer who has extensive knowledge and experience in financing small businesses.

– Tom Lee: A professor of computer science at Stanford University who is an expert in cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

Our key employees consist of:

– 10 software developers who are skilled in various programming languages, frameworks, and tools.

– 5 marketing specialists who are proficient in various digital marketing channels, techniques, and platforms.

– 5 customer support representatives who are trained in various software products, features, and issues. We compensate our employees with competitive salaries, bonuses, stock options, and benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave.

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5. product or services description.

This section describes the products or services that your business offers, and how they benefit your customers. It should also explain the features, functions, quality, design, development, production, delivery, installation, maintenance, and support of your products or services. It should also address any intellectual property rights, patents, trademarks, or licenses that your business owns or needs.

XYZ Inc. offers a suite of cloud-based software solutions for SMBs that help them manage their accounting, invoicing, payroll, inventory, and CRM processes more efficiently and securely. Our products are:

– XYZ Accounting: A software solution that helps SMBs track their income and expenses, create and send invoices, manage their taxes, and generate financial reports. – XYZ Payroll: A software solution that helps SMBs calculate and pay their employees’ salaries, wages, taxes, and benefits. – XYZ Inventory: A software solution that helps SMBs monitor and control their inventory levels, costs, and movements. – XYZ CRM: A software solution that helps SMBs manage their customer relationships, interactions, sales pipeline, and loyalty programs.

Our products have the following benefits for our customers:

– They save time and money by automating and streamlining their business processes. – They improve accuracy and compliance by reducing errors and risks. – They enhance security and reliability by protecting their data and ensuring their availability. – They increase productivity and profitability by optimizing their performance and growth.

Our products have the following features and functions:

– They are cloud-based, which means they can be accessed from any device, anywhere, and anytime. – They are integrated, which means they can share data and communicate with each other seamlessly. – They are customizable, which means they can be tailored to fit the specific needs and preferences of each customer. – They are scalable, which means they can handle any volume of transactions and users without compromising speed or quality.

Our products have the following quality standards:

– They are developed using the latest technologies and best practices in software engineering and design. – They are tested rigorously and regularly to ensure their functionality and compatibility. – They are updated frequently to incorporate new features and improvements.

Our products have the following development, production, delivery, Installation, maintenance, and support processes:

– We use an agile methodology to develop our products in short iterations based on customer feedback and market research. – We use a cloud service provider to host our products on secure servers that have high availability and performance. – We use a subscription-based model to deliver our products to our customers via the internet. – We provide online tutorials and manuals to help our customers install and use our products easily. – We provide 24/7 technical support via phone, email, chat, and social media to help our customers resolve any issues or questions they may have.

We own the intellectual property rights to our products, including the source code, design, logo, name, and domain. We have registered our trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and obtained a patent for our unique algorithm that powers our products. We also have licenses from various third-party providers that we use to enhance our products’ functionality and security.

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6. marketing and sales.

This section outlines the marketing strategy and sales plan for your business. It should describe how you plan to reach, attract, and retain your target customers, and how you plan to promote, price, distribute, and sell your products or services. It should also include your sales forecasts, goals, and metrics.

Our marketing strategy is based on four main elements: segmentation, targeting, positioning, and differentiation. We segment our market based on the size, industry, location, and needs of our potential customers. We target SMBs in the U.S. that have between 10 and 500 employees and operate in various industries such as retail, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and professional services.

 We position our business as a one-stop shop for SMBs that need cloud-based solutions to run their businesses efficiently and securely. We differentiate our business by offering superior quality, value, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Our marketing mix consists of four main components: product, price, place, and promotion. 

Our product is a suite of cloud-based software solutions for SMBs that help them manage their accounting, invoicing, payroll, inventory, and CRM processes more efficiently and securely. Our price is based on a subscription-based model that allows SMBs to pay only for what they use and scale up or down as needed. Our place is online via our website where we showcase our products features, benefits, testimonials, and reviews. 

Our promotion consists of various digital marketing channels such as email marketing social media marketing search engine optimization (SEO) search engine marketing (SEM) content marketing influencer marketing referral marketing

Our sales plan consists of three main stages: lead generation lead conversion customer retention We generate leads by using various online platforms such as Google Ads Facebook Ads LinkedIn.

7. Funding Request

This section should describe how much funding you need and how you plan to use it. It should also include information about your current financial situation, such as your  cash flow  and balance sheet. You should also explain why you need the funding and how it will help your business grow. For example, if you’re looking to expand your product line or hire more staff, you might need additional funding to cover those costs.

We are seeking $500,000 in debt financing from the SBA to expand our product portfolio, increase our marketing efforts, and hire more staff.

8. Financial Projections

• This section should include financial statements such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. It should also include a break-even analysis and a description of how you plan to finance your business. You should provide detailed projections for the next three to five years, including revenue, expenses, and profits. For example, if you’re seeking funding from investors or lenders, they will want to see your financial projections to determine the potential return on investment.

We expect to generate $2 million in revenue and $500,000 in net income in the first year of operation, and grow at an annual rate of 25% for the next five years. We will finance our business through a combination of debt financing and equity financing from investors.

How To Format And Present Your SBA Business Plan?

If you are planning to apply for a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan, you will need to prepare a business plan that meets the SBA’s requirements. A business plan is a document that describes your business’s goals, strategies, market, financial projections, and management team. It also shows how you will use the loan funds and how you will repay them.

A well-written business plan can help you convince lenders and investors that your business is viable and worth supporting. However, writing a business plan can be challenging, especially if you are not familiar with the format and content that the SBA expects. Here are some tips on how to format and present your SBA business plan:

– Follow the SBA’s recommended outline. The SBA provides a detailed outline of the sections and sub-sections that your business plan should include. You can find the outline on the SBA website or download a template from various online sources. The outline covers the following topics: executive summary, company description, market analysis, organization and management, service or product line, marketing and sales, funding request, financial projections, and appendix. – Use clear and concise language. Your business plan should be easy to read and understand by anyone who reviews it. Avoid using jargon, technical terms, or acronyms that may confuse your readers. Use simple sentences and paragraphs, and use bullet points, tables, charts, and graphs to illustrate your points. Use headings and sub-headings to organize your information and make it easy to scan. – Provide evidence and support for your claims. Your business plan should not be based on assumptions or guesses. You should provide factual data and analysis to back up your statements about your market, competitors, customers, industry trends, financial projections, and so on. You can use primary sources (such as surveys, interviews, or testimonials) or secondary sources (such as reports, articles, or statistics) to support your claims. Make sure to cite your sources properly and include them in the appendix. – Be realistic and honest. Your business plan should reflect the true state of your business and its potential. Do not exaggerate or overestimate your strengths, opportunities, or prospects. Do not underestimate or ignore your weaknesses, threats, or risks. Be honest about the challenges you face and how you plan to overcome them. Be realistic about the amount of money you need and how you will use it. Do not make promises or guarantees that you cannot keep. – Proofread and edit your business plan. Before you submit your business plan to the SBA or any other lender or investor, make sure to check it for errors and inconsistencies. Use a spell-checker and a grammar-checker tool to catch any typos or mistakes. Ask someone else to read your business plan and give you feedback. Make sure your business plan is complete, accurate, coherent, and professional.

Recommended: How To Write A Business Plan In Just 7 Simple Steps

Other SBA Business Plan Templates That Can Help You Prove a Loan With Your SBA Business Plan

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• Printing Shop Business Plan Template

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SBA Business Plan Template Essentials: The Complete Guide

Free Business Plan Template

• August 23, 2024

10 Min Read

Loans by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) have turned the dreams of thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs into reality.

Good news? You too can achieve your business goals with the support of an SBA loan.

One of the key requirements for securing such a loan is submitting a comprehensive business plan—a document offering an in-depth overview of your business idea and its sustainability.

Don’t worry.

Writing an SBA plan is quite easy. With this blog post, we will guide you through the process and offer a free SBA business plan template to make it even easier.

But before that…

What is an SBA Business Plan?

An SBA plan is a professional document outlining your business objectives and strategies along with a detailed action plan to execute them. This plan is specifically used by small business owners to apply for SBA loans and grants.

Like a traditional plan, an SBA plan offers a detailed overview of your entire business. It includes sections about the target market, competition, products and services, operations, marketing strategy, management team, and finances.

While there’s no fixed format, using an SBA business plan template to write your SBA plan is recommended.

Importance of an SBA business plan

Writing a business plan is helpful for organizations to get a clear understanding of their business idea and its viability. However, that’s not it.

Here are a few reasons that make your SBA plan extremely important:

• Helps secure SBA loans and even funding from investors.
• Establishes clear goals and milestones to help you stay focused.
• Offers a clear business vision and a strategic roadmap to achieve your goals.
• Solidifies your business idea by compelling you to address missing gaps.
• Establishes credibility amongst lenders and fosters growth amongst stakeholders.
• Instills clarity amongst team members bringing them all on the same page.

All in all, a well-detailed SBA plan builds the foundation for you to launch and build a successful business.

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How to write an SBA business plan

As with traditional plans, an SBA business plan also follows a similar format. The SBA business plan template contains nine major sections, including:

1. Executive summary

An executive summary is a concise summary of your SBA business plan.

It highlights high-value points of your plan to help the readers get a quick gist of your business and its strategies.

The executive summary of your plan can touch on the following aspects:

• Business introduction: Start your executive summary by briefly introducing your business to your readers.
• Description of business opportunity: Describe the business opportunity by highlighting the problem you’re solving for your target customers.
• Target market: Mention your target customers to whom you’ll sell your product or service.
• The solution you offer: Explain how your product or service is the ideal solution for the problem your target customer is facing.
• Market competition: Identify your potential competitors and mention them.
• Marketing and sales strategy: Describe how you will market your product and mention your sales channels.
• Financial projections: This is essentially a forecast of future expenses and revenues.
• Execution of your plan: Explain how you will implement your plan and strategize all your objectives.

2. Company description

In this company overview section of your SBA business plan, you will describe what your company does and every detail about your company. It includes your target customers, your business partners, your competitors, and more.

Below are the major key points to include in the company description section:

• Identity and objective: Mention your company’s identity and what your company does. You may also include your company’s ethics and values.
• Company’s offerings: Define in detail what your company offers. Explain the product or service that you’re selling.
• The problem you solve: Specify the problem you chose to solve to cater to the needs of your customers.
• Target customers: State which section of the people you have targeted. You should also mention your customers’ priorities and values.
• Your strengths: Outline your competitive advantage over other players in the market. You can also list your competitors and mention how you’re different from them.
• Partners: Introduce your business partners and offer details such as the partnership period, their contribution, etc.

3. Market analysis

In this section, you write a detailed analysis of the market in which your business operates. The following are the market research data you should include in your SBA business plan:

• Briefly explain what other companies in your industries are doing
• Outline the strengths and advantages of your competition
• Specify the market trends occurring in your market
• Examine what makes the companies in your industry successful.
• Demonstrate your competitive advantages to outrun your competition
• Research strategic advantages of competitors like the ideal location, cheap procurement of raw materials, etc.

4. Organization and management

In this section, you will define the business structure. This includes the legal and organizational structure of your business along with the management practices you follow.

Legal structure

Here, you describe the legal structure of your business .

Is it going to be a sole proprietorship, limited partnership, limited liability company(LLC), or C or S corporation? Explain in complete detail how you’ll structure your business legally and how it’ll impact your business operations.

Organizational chart

Attach an organizational chart outlining the internal structure and hierarchy of your business. Also explain the roles, responsibilities, and relationships between individuals in the company.

5. Service or product

In this section, you give a complete description of the product or service you’re selling to your customers. The following are the key aspects that this section of your SBA business plan should have:

• Describe in detail the product or service you’re providing to your targeted customer base.
• Explain the pricing of your product. You should also mention all the costs that have contributed to the final price of the product.
• List down all the possible uses of your product and how your customers will benefit from it.
• Discuss the product life-cycle of your product. Explain in detail the four stages of a product life-cycle: Introduction, growth, maturity, and decline.
• Include a plan mentioning how you will handle the intellectual properties, copyright, and patent filings.
• Mention all or any research and developments you have regarding your business.

6. Marketing and sales

In this sales and marketing section, outline your marketing strategies , sales channels, and the budget for both. Ensure that you include the following important points in this section:

• Write a detailed plan of how you’ll market your product to draw your customers
• Provide the details of the sales process and mention the sales channels you’re choosing.
• Mention the details of your budget regarding marketing and sales of the product
• Discuss the goals of your marketing and sales strategies
• Review and address your pricing strategy as it affects your marketing and sales.

7. Funding request

The most prominent reason why entrepreneurs create an SBA business plan is to make lenders believe that they are a viable and reliable business venture. This section is simply for putting forward your funding requests .

The following should be included in this section:

• Specify how much funding you’ll require to run your business for the next five years
• Explain briefly how you’ll use the provided funding
• Mention what type of funding you’re looking for
• Add a detailed description of your future financial plans. This includes debt repayment plans, cash flow management, budgeting expenses, etc.

8. Financial Projection

The purpose of financial projection is to help the readers assess your company’s financial stability. This section includes the current financial reports of your business and future projections.

It’s focused on convincing potential funders that your company is financially stable and solvent. The below information should be included in your SBA business plan:

• Income statements for the past three to five years
• Balance sheets of the past three to five years
• Cash flow statements for the past three to five years
• Business collaterals
• Projected income statements
• Projected balance sheets
• Projected cash flow statements
• Budgeted capital expenditures

The ideal way to represent future projections is by using monthly or quarterly projections in the first year and annual projections for the years afterward.

Explain how the projections and the information represented are relevant to your funding request. Consider the SBA loan rates and the guarantee fee while projecting your new payment amounts.

9. Appendix

The Appendix is the last section of your SBA business plan. It contains all the additional and supporting documents, important to explain a specific aspect of your business.

It could also include documents that are exclusive to a particular lender that may not fit into the predefined outline of a business plan .

Usually, the common information in an appendix includes:

• Credit history
• Product photos
• Letters of reference
• Licenses and permits
• Legal documents

That’s it. Those were all the sections that an SBA business plan should include.

Resources for writing an SBA business plan

Here are a few additional resources to help you write your SBA business plan efficiently.

U. S. Small Business Administration

The SBA business planning tool offers step-by-step guidance and tips to write a fully detailed business plan. Entrepreneurs can also take online lessons on the SBA learning platform to enhance their understanding of business planning.

Apart from these, there’s an SBA’s business guide that helps with business planning, launch, and funding.

SCORE is a non-profit resource partner with SBA. It has the largest network of mentors for small businesses in the US.

Business owners can request mentorship on this platform to get advice on financial and business planning. These mentors can also assist with valuable knowledge on writing a solid business plan.

One can also choose to attend workshops and online webinars hosted by these industry veterans to strengthen their understanding of business.

Local Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)

SBDC offers training and advice to small businesses for free or extremely low fees. The experts at SBDC can help with business planning and financial management. Most SBDCs host regular sessions on writing a business plan. Some of these experts can also review your business plan and offer valuable feedback.

Women’s Business Centers (WBC)

WBC is again a resource partner at SBA offering low-cost business counseling and training to women wanting to launch, grow, or plan their business. Their one-on-one counseling and group sessions also offer help for writing a business plan.

These resources make it easier for entrepreneurs to write their business plans even with no prior experience.

Download the SBA Business Plan Template

Need help writing your SBA business plan from scratch? Here you go— download this SBA business plan template and get started.

This template is designed specifically for businesses planning to apply for SBA loans. The step-by-step guide, examples, and tips in this template will help you prepare an actionable plan that meets all the essential guidelines.

Writing a perfect business plan can be tricky, especially when you have to present it to lenders. However, once you understand what the lenders look for in a business plan, the process gets quite easier.

Fortunately, Upmetrics can simplify this process of business and financial planning with its AI-powered app. It offers step-by-step guidance, 400+ fully customizable templates, and AI assistance to help you write a solid business plan in minutes.

So why wait? Build your SBA business plan today!

Build your Business Plan Faster

with step-by-step Guidance & AI Assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there specific guidelines from the sba for business plans.

There are no specific guidelines from SBA about how the business plans should be. As long as the business plan meets your needs, any structure is acceptable.

However, SBA does offer resources to help you structure and write your business plan effectively. Following that structure will help you cover all the information essential for securing the loan.

Can I use the same plan to apply for different types of funding?

Yes, you can use the same plan for different funding applications. However, it’s important to ensure that your business plan meets the criteria laid out by that specific financial organization.

Ideally, you should customize the sections of your plan depending on where you apply to increase your chances of securing funds.

How does a business plan help you get an SBA loan?

One of the criteria for acquiring an SBA loan is to attach a fully detailed business plan along with the application. A business plan builds credibility and shows that you have put in essential efforts to understand all the aspects of your business thoroughly.

How detailed does an SBA loan business plan need to be?

An SBA plan should be comprehensive enough to offer a detailed overview of your business objectives, strategies, and finances. It should contain sections like a traditional business plan and these sections should be detailed to guide your business operations.

How long should the SBA business plan be?

An SBA business plan for investors can be anywhere between 15-40 pages long. However, your business plan can be shorter or longer depending on the scope and nature of your business. As long as your business plan contains relevant information, length doesn’t matter.

About the Author

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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How to Write an SBA Business Plan

If you’re thinking about starting a small business, or if you’ve been a business owner for a while but have never applied for capital, you may be wondering where and how to go about it. The good news is that documenting a business plan for SBA loans doesn’t have to be a difficult task. In fact, it can be fun!

A good business plan walks you through each stage of establishing and managing your small business. You’ll use your SBA business plan as a guide to organize, run, and grow your new company. It’s a way to structure through the key elements of your company.

SBA business plans help you get the required capital or acquire new clients or business partners. Investors want to feel convinced and optimistic they’ll see a return on their investment. Your SBA business plan is the weapon you’ll use to persuade people that working alongside your business or investing in your business is a smart choice. That being said, here’s everything you need to know about SBA loans and business plans and how you can increase your chances for success.

What is an SBA Loan?

If you’re a small business owner, you’re in luck. As the name implies, SBA loans are loan programs issued by banks and credit unions backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) or a member of its network of supported participating lenders. This means that if you cannot pay back your loan, the government helps repay the traditional lender (bank) that provided the loan.

The SBA requires guarantees from your business partners who own at least 20% of the business, implying if you get an SBA loan, you are putting your assets at stake in case you’re unable to repay the loan. Additionally, companies that have at least 2 years of strong business and financials are mostly eligible for SBA loans. However, if your small business is struggling to make ends meet, an SBA loan may not be the right fit for you.

Irrespective of the personal guarantee requirement, SBA loans are one of the most popular ways to get capital to grow and manage your small business. Not only can you leverage their flexible repayment terms, but you can also take advantage of their low-interest rates to grow your small business. If you want to learn more about it, here’s our guide on SBA business loans . 

But before we move any further, let’s take a look at what the SBA is. 

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a government agency in the U.S. that offers help and counseling to small businesses and startups by providing tools such as business planners, small business loans, and other training programs.

It also offers professional business documentation to guide small companies and startups through the procedures for applying for a small business loan. To do so, you must have a strong sense of what your business goals are and what your company does, along with a solid plan.  

If your business plan isn’t convincing and effective, you might have difficulty getting an SBA business loan. This is why it is important to have a clear vision of the business goal you want to achieve while working on the documentation.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what an SBA business plan includes.

Why You Need a Business Plan for SBA Business Loans

SBA business loans require a significant amount of documentation highlighting your business goals and your personal finances. You’ll need to mention your previous tax returns, bank statements, and different application forms based on the type of SBA business loan you require.

Alongside your past financial statements, the traditional lender issuing the SBA business loan would want to know about the future of your business. They’ll ask you about your plan on how you’d utilize the loan on your business and that your future cash flow estimates indicate that your company can afford loan repayments. 

This is where SBA business plans come into the picture. Besides providing other documentation required for the loan, you’ll need to draft a business plan to go with the rest of the loan application. Not only will your SBA business plan describe your business to your lender, but it will also have financial statements that the bank will require to help identify if you qualify for a loan.

Now, let’s take a look at what the SBA business plan template includes.

Writing an SBA Business Plan: A Comprehensive Guide

Learning how to write a brilliant SBA business plan is a crucial step toward creating a fruitful business. Put simply, a business plan explains exactly what your product or service is and why consumers would want to purchase it, alongside how you will handle any market challenges and environmental risks. It can help you determine what you want to achieve and how you plan to achieve your business goals. This, in turn, can help you to market your business, motivate your teams, and thereby make well-informed decisions.

A strong SBA business plan can also serve as a communication tool for future investors and potential loan providers. It will help you portray your present financial status, active revenue sources, and how you plan to meet revenue estimates. Even though a business plan isn’t relevant for all types of credit, it plays a crucial role in SBA business loans. While no two business plans are similar, every plan should have the following elements:

1. Executive Summary

Your business plan’s executive summary is your only opportunity to introduce your business to potential investors and lenders, which is why it needs to be concise and powerful. This summary should provide a brief gist of the history and background of your business that should be engaging enough for your readers. Oftentimes, it is helpful to write this part at the end – after you’ve spent considerable time examining and articulating all the details of your business.

2. Company Summary

Explain what your product or service does and why consumers or businesses will want to purchase it. Make sure to highlight all the areas where your product or service has leverage over the competition.

On the other hand, add the pending or established copyrights or trademarks, as well as the present or future plans for further research and development (R&D).

3. Market Analysis

Mentioning the strategy would highlight the marketability of your business, your competition, and your position into the competitive landscape. 

In the marketing analysis, provide all the information about your target industry, including the market size, target market, the market requirements, and hurdles to entry, like legal conditions and supply issues. Additionally, any information on the market tests you have undertaken should be included in your business plan. You must also include your direct and indirect competition in the market analysis section.

4. Marketing Plan

In your marketing plan, consider highlighting how to promote your business and generate leads for revenue. Describe the functionalities or characteristics of your product or service and how it helps consumers. 

Mention how your product or service differs from your competitors in the market and how you will grow your business and generate revenue. Additionally, provide details about your product’s life cycle and intellectual property issues.

5. Management Team

To highlight your human capital, describe your business in terms of structure and leadership. Let your readers know the roles of your employees and their qualifications. Elaborate on this in your documentation, and try providing their resumes as well. 

6. Financial Summary

Funding and financial analysis are two of the most crucial areas in your business. Highlight the funding your small business would require and provide supporting financial data on your previous and future financial activity.

Add necessary documents that portray your company’s present financial status, including cash flow statements, income statements, revenue sheets, and balance sheets. Mention your expectations for revenues along with the expense of your products, rent, fuel, electricity, utilities, salaries, and other aspects. 

7. Appendix

There are different ways you can organize and present the information given above so you can share it with potential lenders and investors, current and future team members, management teams, and anyone who needs to go through the vision of your company.

Conduct your research and find a business plan format that suits your business goals. There are multiple SBA business plan types for different readers, including investors and employees, so you can change your plan based on your target audience. 

Here are a few things you must keep in your mind:

• Create a business plan in a way such that it’s easier to find key information. Create a cover page and table of contents (ToC) that makes basic information easier to find. Moreover, it’s recommended to use dividers with tabs if you’re making hard copies of the documentation and putting them in a binder. 
• Make it as detailed as possible. Based on your product or service, you may also want to add a section on Action Plans, which includes data on compliance and safety processes, legal landscapes, regulations, operational & management plans, an employee manual, job descriptions of your staff, and everything you’d want to put on the hard copies (or in the digital document).
• Use an Appendix for highlighting additional information. The Appendix is where you attach supporting documents, including financial and market analyses, staff resumes, logo & branding examples, and so on.

Why more businesses are working with BSBCON

Nowadays, more and more business owners and entrepreneurs are trying their luck in the ever-competitive market. 

Business is a vast landscape. There are a number of ways you can leverage to build and promote a marketing idea. However, the first thing you need to promote a product or service is a solid plan, and to propose this plan, your company needs business plan writers.

Think of BSBCON as a crucial and cost-effective extension of your own business. BSBCON is a leading company that offers SMB consulting solutions, including providing thorough business plans, pitch decks, strategic planning, and more, that save you both time and resources.

If you want to increase your chances of securing capital, grants, or investors, partner with BSBCON and get a solid business blueprint with a professional business plan. 

BSBCON’s SBA business plan writers offer all such insights, including marketing plans & strategies, pitch decks & storyboards, market research & in-depth analysis, business planning, bookkeeping & accounting, financial modeling – and the list goes on! Get in touch with BSBCON’s SMB consultants today to see how they can help you. With BSBCON, you get guidance to build a strategically designed, SBA-approved business plan that offers everything potential investors need to evaluate your business and business goals.

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8 Business Plan Templates You Can Get for Free

8 min. read

Updated July 3, 2024

A business plan template can be an excellent tool to simplify the creation of your business plan. 

The pre-set structure helps you organize ideas, covers all critical business information, and saves you time and effort on formatting.

The only issue? There are SO many free business plan templates out there. 

So, which ones are actually worth using? 

To help remove the guesswork, I’ve rounded up some of the best business plan templates you can access right now. 

These are listed in no particular order, and each has its benefits and drawbacks.

What to look for in a business plan template

Not all business plan templates are created equal. As you weigh your options and decide which template(s) you’ll use, be sure to review them with the following criteria in mind:

• Easy to edit: A template should save you time. That won’t be the case if you have to fuss around figuring out how to edit the document, or even worse, it doesn’t allow you to edit at all.
• Contains the right sections: A good template should cover all essential sections of a business plan , including the executive summary, product/service description, market/competitive analysis, marketing and sales plan, operations, milestones, and financial projections. 
• Provides guidance: You should be able to trust that the information in a template is accurate. That means the organization or person who created the template is highly credible, known for producing useful resources, and ideally has some entrepreneurial experience.
• Software compatibility: Lastly, you want any template to be compatible with the software platforms you use. More than likely, this means it’s available in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or PDF format at a minimum. 

1. Bplans — A plan with expert guidance

Since you’re already on Bplans, I have to first mention the templates that we have available. 

Our traditional and one-page templates were created by entrepreneurs and business owners with over 80 years of collective planning experience. We revisit and update them annually to ensure they are approachable, thorough, and aligned with our team’s evolving best practices.  

The templates, available in Word, PDF, or Google Doc formats, include in-depth guidance on what to include in each section, expert tips, and links to additional resources. 

Plus, we have over 550 real-world sample business plans you can use for guidance when filling out your template.

Download: Traditional lender-ready business plan template or a simple one-page plan template .

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2. SBA — Introduction to business plans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers two different business plan templates along with a short planning guide. 

While not incredibly in-depth, it’s enough to help you understand how traditional and lean plans are structured and what information needs to be covered. The templates themselves are more like examples, providing you with a finished product to reference as you write your plan.

The key benefit of using these templates is that they were created by the SBA. While they may provide less guidance, you can be assured that the information and structure meet their expectations.

Explore: The SBA’s planning guide and free templates

3. SCORE — Planning workbook

SCORE’s template is more like a workbook. It includes exercises after each section to help you get your ideas down and turn them into a structured plan.

The market research worksheets are especially useful. They provide a clear framework for identifying your target market and analyzing competitors from multiple angles. Plus, they give you an easy way to document all the information you’re collecting.

You will likely have to remove the exercises in this template to make it investor-ready. But it can be worth it if you’re struggling to get past a blank page and want a more interactive planning method.

Download: SCORE’s business plan template

4. PandaDoc — A template with fillable forms

PandaDoc’s library offers a variety of industry-specific business plan templates that feature a modern design flair and concise instructions. 

These templates are designed for sharing. They include fillable fields and sections for non-disclosure agreements, which may be necessary when sending a plan to investors.  

But the real benefit is their compatibility with PandaDoc’s platform. Yes, they are free, but if you’re a PandaDoc subscriber, you’ll have far more customization options. 

Out of all their templates, the standard business plan template is the most in-depth. The rest, while still useful, go a bit lighter on guidance in favor of tailoring the plan to a specific industry.

Explore: PandaDoc’s business plan template library  

5. Canva — Pitch with your plan

Canva is a great option for building a visually stunning business plan that can be used as a pitch tool. It offers a diverse array of templates built by their in-house team and the larger creative community, meaning the number of options constantly grows.

You will need to verify that the information in the template you choose matches the standard structure of a traditional business plan. 

You should do this with any template, but it’s especially important with any tool that accepts community submissions. While they are likely reviewed and approved, there may still be errors.

Remember, you can only edit these templates within Canva. Luckily, you only need a free subscription, and you may just miss out on some of the visual assets being used. 

To get the most value, it may be best to create a more traditional planning document and transfer that information into Canva. 

Explore: Canva’s business plan gallery

6. ClickUp — The collaborative template

Out of all the project management tools that offer free business plan templates, ClickUp’s is the most approachable.

Rather than throwing you into all the features and expecting you to figure it out—ClickUp provides a thorough startup guide with resource links, images, and videos explaining how to write a plan using the tool. 

There’s also a completed sample plan (structured like an expanded one-page plan) for you to reference and see how the more traditional document can connect to the product management features. You can set goals, target dates, leave comments, and even assign tasks to someone else on your team. 

These features are limited to the ClickUp platform and will not be useful for everyone. They will likely get in the way of writing a plan you can easily share with lenders or investors. 

But this is a great option if you’re looking for a template that makes internal collaboration more fluid and keeps all your information in one place.

Sign Up: Get a free trial of ClickUp and explore their template library

7. Smartsheet — A wide variety of templates

I’m including Smartsheet’s library of templates on this list because of the sheer number of options they provide. 

They have a simple business plan template, a one-page plan, a fill-in-the-blank template, a plan outline, a plan grading rubric, and even an Excel-built project plan. All are perfectly usable and vary in visual style, depth of instructions, and the available format.

Honestly, the only drawback (which is also the core benefit) is that the amount of templates can be overwhelming. If you’re already uncertain which plan option is right for you, the lengthy list they provide may not provide much clarity.

At the same time, it can be a great resource if you want a one-stop shop to view multiple plan types.

8. ReferralRock affiliate marketing business plan

I’m adding ReferralRock’s template to this list due to its specificity. 

It’s not your standard business plan template. The plan is tailored with specific sections and guidance around launching an affiliate marketing business. 

Most of the template is dedicated to defining how to choose affiliates, set commissions, create legal agreements, and track performance.

So, if you plan on starting an affiliate marketing business or program, this template will provide more specific guidance. Just know that you will likely need to reference additional resources when writing the non-industry sections of your plan.

Download: ReferralRock affiliate marketing business plan template

Does it matter what business plan template you use?

The short answer is no. As long as the structure is correct, it saves you time, and it helps you write your business plan , then any template will work. 

What it ultimately comes down to, is what sort of value you hope to get from the template. 

• Do you need more guidance? 
• A simple way to structure your plan? 
• An option that works with a specific tool?
• A way to make your plan more visually interesting?

Hopefully, this list has helped you hone in on an option that meets one (or several) of these needs. Still, it may be worth downloading a few of these templates to determine the right fit. 

And really, what matters most is that you spend time writing a business plan . It will help you avoid early mistakes, determine if you have a viable business, and fully consider what it will take to get up and running. 

If you need additional guidance, check out our library of planning resources . We cover everything from plan formats , to how to write a business plan, and even how to use it as a management tool . 

If you don’t want to waste time researching other templates, you can download our one-page or traditional business plan template and jump right into the planning process.

Kody Wirth is a content writer and SEO specialist for Palo Alto Software—the creator's of Bplans and LivePlan. He has 3+ years experience covering small business topics and runs a part-time content writing service in his spare time.

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Do you want to increase the odds that your business startup will be a success? Download this step-by-step business plan template to lay the groundwork for your new business.

Writing a business plan allows you to carefully think through every step of starting your company so you can better prepare and handle any challenges. While a thorough business plan is essential in the financing process, it's helpful even if you don’t need outside financing.

Creating a business plan can:

• Help you discover any weaknesses in your business idea so you can address them before you open for business
• Identify business opportunities you may not have considered and plan how to take advantage of them
• Analyze the market and competition to strengthen your idea
• Give you a chance to plan strategies for dealing with potential challenges so they don’t derail your startup
• Convince potential partners, customers, and key employees that you’re serious about your idea and persuade them to work with you
• Force you to calculate when your business will make a profit and how much money you need to reach that point so that you can be prepared with adequate startup capital
• Determine your target market and how to reach them

A detailed, step-by-step plan gives you a blueprint you can refer to during the startup process and helps you maintain momentum.

What this business plan template includes

Writing a business plan for a startup can sometimes seem overwhelming. To make the process easier and more manageable, this template will guide you step-by-step. 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 .

Business plan sections covered in this template:

• Executive Summary
• Company Description
• Products and Services
• Marketing Plan
• Operational Plan
• Management and Organization
• Startup Expenses and Capitalization
• Financial Plan

The Appendices include documents that supplement information in the body of the plan.  These might be contracts, leases, purchase orders, intellectual property, key managers’ resumes, market research data or anything that supports assumptions or statements made in the plan.

The last section of the template, “Refining Your Plan,” explains ways to modify your plan for specific purposes, such as getting a bank loan, or for specific industries, such as retail or manufacturing.

Complete the Business Plan Template for a Startup Business to create a working business plan for your startup.

Then, contact a  SCORE mentor  to review and refine your plan online or in person.

Quick Start Business Plan The aim of this module is to give you the tools, direction and ideas you need to build a business plan. If you're starting a business then a business plan is essential, because it forces you to think through your ideas and options.

10 Business Planning Tips for Starting a Business In this webinar, you'll learn 10 business planning tips to help you start your entrepreneurial journey on the right path.

Business Plan 101: Sales & Marketing The sales and marketing section of your business plan describes how you intend to sell your product. Learn what you should include in this section.

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.

Powerful business plan templates

Plan for the future, no matter what your business plans are or the size of your business with these designs and templates. whether it's just one big project or an entire organization's worth of dreams, these templates will keep you and your company on track from ideation to completion..

Put your ideas to work with simple templates for every business plan

Every successful business took a lot of planning to get there, and these templates will be cornerstones of your future success. Whether you're looking to attract new business, pitch your services or reimagine your company, with these simple, customizable templates at your fingertips you can turn complexity into something tangible. These templates can become marketing assets or simply remain internal touchpoints for your team. And as your dreams change, you'll always have this template to refer to – it's easy to change what exists on paper. If you're a small business, focusing on your niche can help you dominate in your field, and you can forge a plan to figure out exactly what that niche might be and how to target your ideal customer . When it's time to share your vision with stakeholders, craft a presentation that outlines your plan succinctly and with style. Let these templates from Microsoft Designer be your partner in business strategy for years to come.

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Top 10 Business-Plan Templates You Can Download Free

Why reinvent the wheel get free professional business plan templates at no cost..

Writing your business plan. Ughhhh.

It's definitely not the most exciting part of starting a business. In fact, if you're like a lot of entrepreneurs, you're probably going to find yourself pulling a few all-nighters to get one done before heading into your first pitch for funding . Because that's the thing--your business plan is a pretty important.

Any funder worth his or her salt wants to see it right off the bat. Moreover though, a solid business plan is a living document that will continue to guide your efforts as your business grows. Recently, I shared 18 Mistakes That Kill Startups , an infographic created by Mark Vital over at Funders and Founders.

A lot of those mistakes (most of them, in fact) are the result of poor planning. Bad location, a marginal niche, having no specific user in mind, raising too much or too little money--all of these issues can be prevented or at least mitigated with good planning.

Creating your business plan is more than just getting your ideas down on paper for potential funders to see. It's an exploratory process in which you can evaluate your options, test your assumptions about your idea, and even discover new opportunities. It might even lead you to kill off aspects of your business before investing too much time or money in them.

That doesn't mean you have to bust out Word and start the plan from scratch. A template is great--you probably aren't doing anything that hasn't been done before, so it provides a proven structure for your plan. Pretty much everything on it can be customized. Check out these comprehensive business plan templates you can download for free to get you started:

1. Score's Business Plan Template for Startups

Score is an American nonprofit dedicated to helping entrepreneurs get their companies off the ground. Its template, available as a PDF or Word download, asks a whopping 150 questions and is generic enough to customize for most types of businesses. The Refining the Plan resource that comes with it is helpful, especially if this is your first crack at writing a business plan.

2. U.S. Small Business Administration Business Plan Engine

The SBA's template is available to fill out online and then download as a PDF. You can go back in and edit it as needed, so don't worry about having everything ready the first time you sit down to tackle it. Even broken into sections, it's a long document and a bit of a slog to get through, but it produces a professional-looking and useful business plan. This is particularly helpful if your idea isn't fully fleshed out and you know you have homework to do--it prompts you for information.

3. The $100 Startup's One-Page Business Plan

Who said a business plan has to be a long, complicated document? Some funders are going to want to see a lot of detail, but you can provide that in appendices. The $100 Startup, the website for the best-selling book of the same name, has a ton of stripped-down resources for entrepreneurs, including this super simplified business plan template.

4. LawDepot's WYSIWYG Business Plan Template

This one says you just have to answer a few simple questions and will be "done before you know it!" Don't believe it. A business plan should take time and a lot of homework, but if you've already done that, LawDepot's template is a decent choice. It walks you through getting started, marketing, product, competitive analysis, SWOT, and more, with a window below the input fields to show you the plan as you work away at it. You can download it free with a trial subscription, but you'll have to remember to cancel it within the week if you don't plan to continue using it.

Editor's Note: Looking for Business Loans for your company? If you would like information to help you choose the one that's right for you, use the questionnaire below to have our partner, BuyerZone, provide you with information for free:

5. sme toolkit business plan samples.

The SME Toolkit, jointly offered by IFC and IBM, offers a simple two-page outline of what should be included in your business plan to meet the minimum requirements of funders and tax authorities (in the U.S.). It contains 10 broad sections, including market analysis, management and organization, etc., with a one-paragraph explanation of each. A second download on the same page is an Excel file to help with your financial projections.

6. Office Online Templates Galore

Of course, Microsoft offers a ton of business plan templates for Office users (you can get birthday invitations while you're at it). If you'd rather do a business plan presentation than a Word doc, you can download one of Microsoft Office's half a dozen or so PowerPoint templates for just that purpose. You'll want to customize it with your company branding (you have your branding down, right?), but it's easier than starting from a blank PPT.

7. vFinance Inc. Business Plan Template and Guide

Global financial services firm vFinance offers a basic, 30-page business plan template to download from its website--one the company says has been downloaded more than a quarter of a million times. No, it won't be completely unique, but vFinance knows what it's doing and the template is pretty comprehensive. VFinance is the creator of the massive Venture Capital Directory and has tailored the plan to appeal to funders. If that's your goal, definitely check this one out.

8. Invoiceberry Templates for Word, Open Office, Excel, or PPT

U.K. online invoicing software brand Invoiceberry offers free business plan templates in .docx, .odt, .xlsx, and .pptx formats. Each one also contains a marketing plan and executive summary template. There's a catch, though--the company asks you to take one of the following three actions before you can download the template: like it on Facebook, give it a +1 on Google+, or give it your email address. If you don't mind doing that, it's a good deal. Kudos to Invoiceberry for figuring out this effective lead-gen tactic too!

9. Santa Clara University's My Own Business Institute Plans

Santa Clara U's MOBI is an initiative of its Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Leavey School of Business. On the site, you can download each of the 15 business plan sections individually as Word documents, or grab all 15 together in one doc. There's a ton of other helpful resources as well, including guidelines for evaluating your potential sites, a list of key people to review your plan, and sample financial sheets.

10. RocketLawyer's Business Plan Templates by State

Like some of the others, you fill out RocketLawyer's form and download the business plan when you're done--but its template allows you to choose your state before getting started. These plans are tailored to meet your financing requirements in your state, which is a huge bonus for those seeking funding through banks. It's also heavily geared toward financing, making it a good choice if that's a priority for you.

Editorial Disclosure: Inc. writes about products and services in this and other articles. These articles are editorially independent - that means editors and reporters research and write on these products free of any influence of any marketing or sales departments. In other words, no one is telling our reporters or editors what to write or to include any particular positive or negative information about these products or services in the article. The article's content is entirely at the discretion of the reporter and editor. You will notice, however, that sometimes we include links to these products and services in the articles. When readers click on these links, and buy these products or services, Inc may be compensated. This e-commerce based advertising model - like every other ad on our article pages - has no impact on our editorial coverage. Reporters and editors don't add those links, nor will they manage them. This advertising model, like others you see on Inc, supports the independent journalism you find on this site.

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Simple Business Plan Template (2024)

Updated: May 4, 2024, 4:37pm

Table of Contents

Why business plans are vital, get your free simple business plan template, how to write an effective business plan in 6 steps, frequently asked questions.

While taking many forms and serving many purposes, they all have one thing in common: business plans help you establish your goals and define the means for achieving them. Our simple business plan template covers everything you need to consider when launching a side gig, solo operation or small business. By following this step-by-step process, you might even uncover a few alternate routes to success.

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Whether you’re a first-time solopreneur or a seasoned business owner, the planning process challenges you to examine the costs and tasks involved in bringing a product or service to market. The process can also help you spot new income opportunities and hone in on the most profitable business models.

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. However, if you’re seeking startup funding or partnership opportunities, you’ll need a write a business plan that details market research, operating costs and revenue forecasting. Whichever startup category you fall into, if you’re at square one, our simple business plan template will point you down the right path.

Copy our free simple business plan template so you can fill in the blanks as we explore each element of your business plan. Need help getting your ideas flowing? You’ll also find several startup scenario examples below.

Download free template as .docx

Whether you need a quick-launch overview or an in-depth plan for investors, any business plan should cover the six key elements outlined in our free template and explained below. The main difference in starting a small business versus an investor-funded business is the market research and operational and financial details needed to support the concept.

1. Your Mission or Vision

Start by declaring a “dream statement” for your business. You can call this your executive summary, vision statement or mission. Whatever the name, the first part of your business plan summarizes your idea by answering five questions. Keep it brief, such as an elevator pitch. You’ll expand these answers in the following sections of the simple business plan template.

• What does your business do? Are you selling products, services, information or a combination?
• Where does this happen? Will you conduct business online, in-store, via mobile means or in a specific location or environment?
• Who does your business benefit? Who is your target market and ideal customer for your concept?
• Why would potential customers care? What would make your ideal customers take notice of your business?
• How do your products and/or services outshine the competition? What would make your ideal customers choose you over a competitor?

These answers come easily if you have a solid concept for your business, but don’t worry if you get stuck. Use the rest of your plan template to brainstorm ideas and tactics. You’ll quickly find these answers and possibly new directions as you explore your ideas and options.

2. Offer and Value Proposition

This is where you detail your offer, such as selling products, providing services or both, and why anyone would care. That’s the value proposition. Specifically, you’ll expand on your answers to the first and fourth bullets from your mission/vision.

As you complete this section, you might find that exploring value propositions uncovers marketable business opportunities that you hadn’t yet considered. So spend some time brainstorming the possibilities in this section.

For example, a cottage baker startup specializing in gluten-free or keto-friendly products might be a value proposition that certain audiences care deeply about. Plus, you could expand on that value proposition by offering wedding and other special-occasion cakes that incorporate gluten-free, keto-friendly and traditional cake elements that all guests can enjoy.

3. Audience and Ideal Customer

Here is where you explore bullet point number three, who your business will benefit. Identifying your ideal customer and exploring a broader audience for your goods or services is essential in defining your sales and marketing strategies, plus it helps fine-tune what you offer.

There are many ways to research potential audiences, but a shortcut is to simply identify a problem that people have that your product or service can solve. If you start from the position of being a problem solver, it’s easy to define your audience and describe the wants and needs of your ideal customer for marketing efforts.

Using the cottage baker startup example, a problem people might have is finding fresh-baked gluten-free or keto-friendly sweets. Examining the wants and needs of these people might reveal a target audience that is health-conscious or possibly dealing with health issues and willing to spend more for hard-to-find items.

However, it’s essential to have a customer base that can support your business. You can be too specialized. For example, our baker startup can attract a broader audience and boost revenue by offering a wider selection of traditional baked goods alongside its gluten-free and keto-focused specialties.

4. Revenue Streams, Sales Channels and Marketing

Thanks to our internet-driven economy, startups have many revenue opportunities and can connect with target audiences through various channels. Revenue streams and sales channels also serve as marketing vehicles, so you can cover all three in this section.

Revenue Streams

Revenue streams are the many ways you can make money in your business. In your plan template, list how you’ll make money upon launch, plus include ideas for future expansion. The income possibilities just might surprise you.

For example, our cottage baker startup might consider these revenue streams:

• Product sales : Online, pop-up shops , wholesale and (future) in-store sales
• Affiliate income : Monetize blog and social media posts with affiliate links
• Advertising income : Reserve website space for advertising
• E-book sales : (future) Publish recipe e-books targeting gluten-free and keto-friendly dessert niches
• Video income : (future) Monetize a YouTube channel featuring how-to videos for the gluten-free and keto-friendly dessert niches
• Webinars and online classes : (future) Monetize coaching-style webinars and online classes covering specialty baking tips and techniques
• Members-only content : (future) Monetize a members-only section of the website for specialty content to complement webinars and online classes
• Franchise : (future) Monetize a specialty cottage bakery concept and sell to franchise entrepreneurs

Sales Channels

Sales channels put your revenue streams into action. This section also answers the “where will this happen” question in the second bullet of your vision.

The product sales channels for our cottage bakery example can include:

• Mobile point-of-sale (POS) : A mobile platform such as Shopify or Square POS for managing in-person sales at local farmers’ markets, fairs and festivals
• E-commerce platform : An online store such as Shopify, Square or WooCommerce for online retail sales and wholesale sales orders
• Social media channels : Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest shoppable posts and pins for online sales via social media channels
• Brick-and-mortar location : For in-store sales , once the business has grown to a point that it can support a physical location

Channels that support other income streams might include:

• Affiliate income : Blog section on the e-commerce website and affiliate partner accounts
• Advertising income : Reserved advertising spaces on the e-commerce website
• E-book sales : Amazon e-book sales via Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing
• Video income : YouTube channel with ad monetization
• Webinars and online classes : Online class and webinar platforms that support member accounts, recordings and playback
• Members-only content : Password-protected website content using membership apps such as MemberPress

Nowadays, the line between marketing and sales channels is blurred. Social media outlets, e-books, websites, blogs and videos serve as both marketing tools and income opportunities. Since most are free and those with advertising options are extremely economical, these are ideal marketing outlets for lean startups.

However, many businesses still find value in traditional advertising such as local radio, television, direct mail, newspapers and magazines. You can include these advertising costs in your simple business plan template to help build a marketing plan and budget.

5. Structure, Suppliers and Operations

This section of your simple business plan template explores how to structure and operate your business. Details include the type of business organization your startup will take, roles and responsibilities, supplier logistics and day-to-day operations. Also, include any certifications or permits needed to launch your enterprise in this section.

Our cottage baker example might use a structure and startup plan such as this:

• Business structure : Sole proprietorship with a “doing business as” (DBA) .
• Permits and certifications : County-issued food handling permit and state cottage food certification for home-based food production. Option, check into certified commercial kitchen rentals.
• Roles and responsibilities : Solopreneur, all roles and responsibilities with the owner.
• Supply chain : Bulk ingredients and food packaging via Sam’s Club, Costco, Amazon Prime with annual membership costs. Uline for shipping supplies; no membership needed.
• Day-to-day operations : Source ingredients and bake three days per week to fulfill local and online orders. Reserve time for specialty sales, wholesale partner orders and market events as needed. Ship online orders on alternating days. Update website and create marketing and affiliate blog posts on non-shipping days.

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6. Financial Forecasts

Your final task is to list forecasted business startup and ongoing costs and profit projections in your simple business plan template. Thanks to free business tools such as Square and free marketing on social media, lean startups can launch with few upfront costs. In many cases, cost of goods, shipping and packaging, business permits and printing for business cards are your only out-of-pocket expenses.

Cost Forecast

Our cottage baker’s forecasted lean startup costs might include:

Gross Profit Projections

This helps you determine the retail prices and sales volume required to keep your business running and, hopefully, earn income for yourself. Use product research to spot target retail prices for your goods, then subtract your cost of goods, such as hourly rate, raw goods and supplier costs. The total amount is your gross profit per item or service.

Here are some examples of projected gross profits for our cottage baker:

Bottom Line

Putting careful thought and detail in a business plan is always beneficial, but don’t get so bogged down in planning that you never hit the start button to launch your business . Also, remember that business plans aren’t set in stone. Markets, audiences and technologies change, and so will your goals and means of achieving them. Think of your business plan as a living document and regularly revisit, expand and restructure it as market opportunities and business growth demand.

Is there a template for a business plan?

You can copy our free business plan template and fill in the blanks or customize it in Google Docs, Microsoft Word or another word processing app. This free business plan template includes the six key elements that any entrepreneur needs to consider when launching a new business.

What does a simple business plan include?

A simple business plan is a one- to two-page overview covering six key elements that any budding entrepreneur needs to consider when launching a startup. These include your vision or mission, product or service offering, target audience, revenue streams and sales channels, structure and operations, and financial forecasts.

How can I create a free business plan template?

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 new sections or subsections to your plan template to meet your specific business plan needs.

What basic items should be included in a business plan?

When writing out a business plan, you want to make sure that you cover everything related to your concept for the business,  an analysis of the industry―including potential customers and an overview of the market for your goods or services―how you plan to execute your vision for the business, how you plan to grow the business if it becomes successful and all financial data around the business, including current cash on hand, potential investors and budget plans for the next few years.

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Krista Fabregas is a seasoned eCommerce and online content pro sharing more than 20 years of hands-on know-how with those looking to launch and grow tech-forward businesses. Her expertise includes eCommerce startups and growth, SMB operations and logistics, website platforms, payment systems, side-gig and affiliate income, and multichannel marketing. Krista holds a bachelor's degree in English from The University of Texas at Austin and held senior positions at NASA, a Fortune 100 company, and several online startups.

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Write a business plan

Download free business plan templates and find help and advice on how to write your business plan.

Business plan templates

Download a free business plan template on The Prince’s Trust website.

You can also download a free cash flow forecast template or a business plan template on the Start Up Loans website to help you manage your finances.

Business plan examples

Read example business plans on the Bplans website.

How to write a business plan

Get detailed information about how to write a business plan on the Start Up Donut website.

Why you need a business plan

A business plan is a written document that describes your business. It covers objectives, strategies, sales, marketing and financial forecasts.

A business plan helps you to:

• clarify your business idea
• spot potential problems
• set out your goals
• measure your progress

You’ll need a business plan if you want to secure investment or a loan from a bank. Read about the finance options available for businesses on the Business Finance Guide website.

It can also help to convince customers, suppliers and potential employees to support you.

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