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Startup Business Plan Template

A structured business plan template built for early-stage startups. Cover your market, business model, financials, and go-to-market strategy in a format investors expect.

8
Core Sections
3-Year
Financial Projections
5-10
Pages Recommended
Free
No Email Required

What's in the Business Plan Template

01

Executive Summary

A one-page overview of your startup, the problem you solve, your solution, and key financial highlights.

02

Problem & Solution

Define the pain point your customers face and how your product or service solves it better than alternatives.

03

Market Analysis

TAM, SAM, and SOM breakdown with industry trends, target customer segments, and growth drivers.

04

Business Model

How you make money — pricing, revenue streams, unit economics, and path to profitability.

05

Go-to-Market Strategy

Customer acquisition channels, launch plan, sales strategy, and key partnerships.

06

Competitive Landscape

Competitor mapping, your unfair advantages, and how you defend your position over time.

07

Team & Operations

Founding team bios, key hires, organizational structure, and operational milestones.

08

Financial Projections

Three-year revenue forecast, expense plan, cash flow projections, and funding requirements.

Why Write a Business Plan

  • +Forces you to validate assumptions about your market, pricing, and growth before you spend money
  • +Required by most accelerators, angel investors, and bank loan programs
  • +Aligns co-founders on strategy, priorities, and financial expectations early
  • +Serves as a reference document during due diligence and fundraising conversations

Who This Template Is For

  • +First-time founders who need a clear framework for structuring their idea
  • +Accelerator applicants preparing for Y Combinator, Techstars, or other programs
  • +Fundraising founders building materials for angel or seed-stage investors
  • +Small business owners seeking SBA loans or grant funding

How to Write Your Startup Business Plan

01

Start With the Executive Summary

Write this last, but put it first. Summarize your startup in one page so readers know what to expect.

02

Define Your Market

Use the TAM/SAM/SOM framework to size your opportunity and identify your ideal customer profile.

03

Build Your Financial Model

Plug in revenue assumptions, costs, and hiring plans. Use our financial model template for detailed projections.

04

Review and Refine

Share with advisors and co-founders. A good business plan is a living document you iterate on as you learn.

Download

Get Your Startup Business Plan Template

Download a structured business plan template with all 8 sections, example content, and prompts to guide you through each part.

Download Business Plan Template

Free forever · PDF format · No email required

Business Plan Template FAQs

Do startups still need a business plan?

Yes, but it looks different from a traditional 40-page document. Investors and accelerators expect a concise plan (5-10 pages) that covers your market, business model, and financial projections. Even if no one asks for it, writing a business plan forces you to think through critical assumptions.

How long should a startup business plan be?

For most early-stage startups, 5 to 10 pages is the sweet spot. Investors skim, so lead with the strongest points. Use our template structure to keep each section focused and concise.

What is the difference between a business plan and a pitch deck?

A pitch deck is a 10-15 slide presentation designed for live meetings with investors. A business plan is a written document with more detail on financials, operations, and market analysis. Most founders need both — the deck for meetings, the plan for due diligence.

Can I customize this template?

Yes. The template is fully editable in Word, Google Docs, or any text editor. Adapt the sections, add your branding, and tailor the financial projections to your specific business model.