Business strategy and business plan for startups

A successful business plan for Swiss startups includes market analysis, business model, financial planning, marketing strategy and risk analysis. It serves as a roadmap for the company and is essential for investors and funding rounds.

Developing a solid business strategy and convincing business plan is fundamental for startup success. Here is a comprehensive guide:

Executive Summary:

Core elements:

• Business idea: Clear description of product/service
• Market opportunity: Size and potential of target market
• Unique value proposition: Unique Value Proposition
• Business model: How is money made?
• Financing: Capital requirements and use
• Team: Key people and expertise

Success factors:

• Concise: Maximum 2 pages
• Compelling: Generate interest
• Fact-based: Concrete numbers and data
• Realistic: Achievable goals
• Target-oriented: Adapted to readers

Market analysis:

Market size and potential:

• TAM (Total Addressable Market): Total market
• SAM (Serviceable Addressable Market): Reachable market
• SOM (Serviceable Obtainable Market): Realistic market share
• Growth rates: Historical and projected development
• Market drivers: Growth factors

Target group analysis:

• Demographic data: Age, gender, income
• Psychographic characteristics: Values, interests, lifestyle
• Purchase behavior: Decision processes, price sensitivity
• Needs: Pain points and solution approaches
• Persona development: Detailed customer profiles

Competitive analysis:

Direct competitors:

• Identification: Who offers similar solutions?
• Strengths/weaknesses: SWOT analysis
• Market position: Market share and positioning
• Pricing strategies: Price models and levels
• Differentiation: Distinction possibilities

Indirect competitors:

• Substitutes: Alternative solution approaches
• Industry boundaries: Convergence trends
• New market entrants: Potential threats
• Disruption: Technological changes

Business model:

Revenue streams:

• One-time payments: Product or service sales
• Subscriptions: Recurring revenues
• Freemium: Free base, premium features
• Transaction fees: Commission per transaction
• Advertising: Monetization through ads
• Licensing: Intellectual property

Cost structure:

• Fixed costs: Rent, salaries, insurance
• Variable costs: Materials, commissions, transaction costs
• One-time costs: Development, marketing, equipment
• Economies of scale: Cost degression with growth
• Break-even: Reach profitability threshold

Financial planning:

Revenue forecast:

• Bottom-up: Number of customers x average revenue
• Top-down: Market share x market volume
• Scenario planning: Best/Worst/Realistic Case
• Seasonality: Consider fluctuations
• Milestones: Define revenue targets

Liquidity planning:

• Cash flow: Monthly inflows and outflows
• Working capital: Operating capital requirement
• Payment terms: Consider debtor periods
• Seasonality: Plan liquidity fluctuations
• Buffers: Build in safety reserves

Marketing strategy:

Go-to-market:

• Launch strategy: Timing and sequence
• Distribution channels: Online, offline, partners
• Price positioning: Premium, penetration, skimming
• Communication: Messaging and channels

Customer acquisition:

• Customer Acquisition Cost: Cost per new customer
• Customer Lifetime Value: Value over customer lifecycle
• Retention Rate: Customer retention rate
• Viral Coefficient: Viral growth effects

Team and organization:

Founding team:

• Complementary skills: Different expertise
• Experience: Relevant industry knowledge
• Commitment: Full-time engagement
• Track record: Previous successes

Personnel planning:

• Organizational structure: Hierarchical organization
• Key positions: Identify critical roles
• Hiring plan: Timeline for recruiting
• Equity programs: Employee participation

Risk analysis:

Market risks:

• Competition: New competitors
• Market changes: Technological disruption
• Regulatory changes: Legal modifications
• Economic factors: Recession, inflation

Operational risks:

• Key persons: Dependence on founders
• Suppliers: Supply shortages
• Technology: System failures
• Legal risks: IP violations

Exit strategies:

Strategic options:

• Trade sale: Sale to strategic investor
• IPO: Public offering according to size
• Management buyout: Takeover by management
• Liquidation: Company dissolution

Timing and valuation:

• Exit timeline: 5-10 year horizon
• Valuation expectations: Realistic targets
• Preparation: Due diligence ready
• Investor alignment: Common goals

Conclusion: A thoughtful business plan is the foundation for successful entrepreneurship. It forces strategic reflection and is simultaneously the most important instrument for capital raising.