HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN Table of Contents Preface ......................................................................................................................4 1. THE ROUTE FROM CONCEPT TO COMPANY ................................................... 4 1.1 Success factors................................................................................................................................................. 4 1.2 Stages of development .................................................................................................................................... 5 2. THE BUSINESS IDEA ........................................................................................... 8 2.1 Development of a business idea ..................................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Elements of a promising business idea.......................................................................................................... 9 2.3 Protecting your business idea ...................................................................................................................... 13 2.4 Presenting to investors ................................................................................................................................. 14 3. THE BUSINESS PLAN........................................................................................ 16 3.1 Advantages of a business plan ..................................................................................................................... 16 3.2 Characteristics of a successful business plan..........................................