Q&A - What questions should a start-up business plan answer?

A business plan needs to address the issues of interest to the reader and user. Assuming that the plan is meant to be read by potential finance providers (e.g. a bank, business angel or venture capitalist) then it ought to provide convincing and realistic answers to questions such as:

• What is the business idea or opportunity?
• What is the product and how is it different or unique?
• What is the target market segment and who are the potential competitors?
• How large is the target market and is it growing?
• Who are the customers; how much will they buy and at what price?
• What will it cost to produce and sell the product?
• At what stage will the business break-even and what are the likely profits?
• What investment is required to launch and establish the business?
• Where will the money come from and what type of finance is required?
• What are the main risks facing the business?