Writing a Business Plan : Startup Ideas : Sequoia Capital : U.S.
EVERY BUSINESS STARTS WITH A BLINKING CURSOR OR BLANK SHEET OF PAPER. THE BEST FOUNDERS ARE CLEAR THINKERS. THEY DON’T NEED MANY WORDS, CHARTS, SPREADSHEETS OR SLIDES TO EXPRESS THEIR IDEAS. MANY OF THEM JUST USED THIS SIMPLE OUTLINE. Start-ups with these characteristics have the best chance of becoming enduring companies. We like to partner with start-ups that have: Summarize the company’s business on the back of a business card. Address existing markets poised for rapid growth or change. A market on the path to a $1B potential allows for error and time for real margins to develop. Target customers who will move fast and pay a premium for a unique offering. Customers will only buy a simple product with a singular value proposition. Pick the one thing that is of burning importance to the customer then delight them with a compelling solution. Constantly challenge conventional wisdom. Take the contrarian route. Create novel solutions. Outwit the competition. A company’s DNA is set in the