Startup Business Plan Template - Free Download

If you have any startup idea and want to built it then you are at the right place. I am going to share you a startup template that every founder must solve it with their co-founders before launching your startup. That will make your idea, vision and mission clear and will give you clarity of what is right and wrong and what to do to adjust to become successful startup.

Read each of the heading and it has explanation of what to write inside that heading and for your ease, I have given google.com as an example to show you how to write it as if it was your startup.

At the end of this article you can download it in editable MS Word / MS Excel File

Startup Template

Startup Introduction

The introduction of your startup should provide a concise overview of your product or service, highlighting its unique value proposition and target audience. It should answer the following questions:

• - What is the product or service?
• - Who is it for?
• - What problem does it solve?
• - What makes it unique?

For example:
Google.com is a search engine designed to be the world's first comprehensive tool for finding information on the web. It allows users to search for websites, images, videos, and other online content. Users can access relevant information quickly and efficiently, staying focused on their search goals without unnecessary distractions.

Vision

The vision statement outlines the long-term aspirations and impact your startup aims to achieve. It should be inspirational and forward-thinking, focusing on the broader goal beyond immediate business objectives.

For example:
Our vision is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful, creating a seamless and efficient platform for people to find the information they need.

Mission

The mission statement describes what your company does, its core purpose, and the approach it takes to achieve its vision. It should be clear, actionable, and reflect the day-to-day operations of the company.

For example:
Our mission is to provide a fast, reliable, and easy-to-use search engine that helps users find the most relevant information on the web. We aim to continuously improve our search algorithms and user experience to support global information accessibility.

Why Us

This section should explain why your startup stands out from competitors. Highlight your unique strengths, expertise, and any significant experience that gives your company an edge.

For example:
With years of industry experience, we understand the complexities of organizing and accessing vast amounts of information. Our solution leverages cutting-edge technology and innovative algorithms to deliver highly relevant search results quickly and efficiently, setting us apart from other search engines.

Market Opportunity Size

This section should present data and analysis on the potential market for your product or service. Include statistics, trends, and relevant references to provide a clear picture of the market size and growth potential.

For example:
The global digital population is over 4.5 billion people, with millions of searches conducted daily. As the internet continues to grow, the demand for reliable and efficient search tools is increasing. Google.com is poised to capture a significant share of this expanding market, providing unparalleled search capabilities to users worldwide.

Transaction Details (Equity)

This section should provide details about the equity distribution among the founding members. Clearly state the names, roles, and equity percentages of each founder.

For example:

FOUNDING MEMBERS	EQUITY
Sergey Brin	51%
Larry Page	49%

Founders

Provide detailed profiles of the founding members, highlighting their experience, skills, and contributions to the startup. This section should build credibility and show the expertise of the team behind the venture.

For example:

Sergey Brin

1. - Co-Founder | President of Alphabet Inc.
2. - Sergey Brin has a long history of innovation and leadership in the technology sector. Co-founding Google, he has played a pivotal role in developing the search engine and other Google products.
3. - Expertise in computer science, machine learning, and information retrieval.
4. - Key achievements include advancements in Google's search algorithms, development of Google Glass, and contributions to various research initiatives.
5. - Brin's vision and technical acumen have been instrumental in making Google a global leader in technology and information services.

 

Larry Page

1. - Co-Founder | CEO of Alphabet Inc.
2. - Larry Page co-founded Google and has been a driving force behind its growth and innovation. His leadership has led to the creation of numerous products and services that have transformed the way people access and use information.
3. - Expertise in computer engineering, product development, and business strategy.
4. - Key contributions include the development of Google's core search technology, overseeing the company's expansion into new areas such as Android and YouTube, and leading the establishment of Alphabet Inc. as a parent company for Google and its subsidiaries.
5. - Page's strategic vision and entrepreneurial spirit have been crucial in guiding Google's evolution and success.

 Startup Planning

Value Proposition

What to Include:

• Clearly state the main benefit your product or service provides.
• Highlight any unique features or technologies.
• Mention the target audience and how they will benefit.

Example: Google.com aims to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. By leveraging advanced algorithms and machine learning, Google provides a fast, reliable, and comprehensive search engine that caters to individuals, businesses, and developers worldwide.

Market Definition

What to Include:

• Define the industry or market your product targets.
• Specify any sub-segments or niches within the broader market.
• Highlight any relevant trends or characteristics of the market.

Example: Google operates in the global information technology and digital services market. This market includes web search, online advertising, cloud computing, and digital content management. Key trends include increasing internet penetration, the growth of mobile search, and the rising importance of data-driven decision making.

Market Opportunity Size

What to Include:

• Provide data on the current size of the market.
• Use relevant statistics and references.
• Explain the potential for growth in the market.

Example: In 2022, there were over 4.66 billion active internet users worldwide. As more people and businesses come online, the demand for efficient and comprehensive search services like Google’s continues to grow exponentially. Reference: Internet World Stats

Is the Market Likely to Grow?

What to Include:

• Discuss the projected growth rate of the market.
• Mention any factors driving growth.
• Provide data or estimates if available.

Example: The global digital services market is projected to grow by 21% to 51% annually, driven by increasing internet accessibility, the proliferation of smart devices, and the growing importance of digital advertising.

Consumer Segmentation

What to Include:

• Identify and describe the different groups of potential customers.
• Include demographics, needs, and preferences of each segment.
• Explain how your product meets the needs of each segment.

Example: Google’s primary consumers include:

• Individuals seeking information and services online.
• Businesses looking to advertise their products and services.
• Developers needing robust APIs for integrating search functionalities into their applications.

Team

What to Include:

• Introduce the founders and key team members.
• Highlight their relevant experience and expertise.
• Explain how their skills contribute to the startup's success.

Example: Founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page have extensive backgrounds in computer science and data management. Their expertise in algorithms, machine learning, and large-scale system design has been pivotal in building Google’s innovative and scalable search engine technology.

Development Timeline

What to Include:

• Provide an estimated timeline for the development phase.
• Mention any key milestones or deliverables.
• Explain when you expect to transition to the support phase.

Example: The development timeline for Google’s initial search engine was approximately 3 to 5 months, focusing on creating the core search algorithms and user interface. The transition to the support phase involved continuous improvement and scaling of the service, which remains an ongoing process.

Milestones

What to Include:

• List key milestones and achievements expected over the next few years.
• Provide specific targets and timelines.

Example:

• Year 1: Reach 50,000 to 300,000 users.
• Year 2: Reach 500,000 to 1,000,000 users.
• Year 3: Reach 3,000,000 to 10,000,000 users.
• Aim for an annual growth rate of approximately 51%.

Target Market

What to Include:

• Define the primary and secondary markets for your product.
• Specify the characteristics and needs of each market.

Example: Google’s target market includes:

• Individuals worldwide seeking information and services online.
• Students and job candidates preparing for exams such as GRE, GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL, and more.
• Businesses and recruiters aiming to automate their hiring processes using Google’s tools and services.

Competitor Analysis

What to Include:

• Identify direct and indirect competitors.
• Compare your product’s features and benefits to those of the competitors.
• Highlight your unique selling points.

Example: Initial competitors for Google included other search engines like Yahoo and AltaVista. Google’s superior search algorithms, faster results, and cleaner interface set it apart from these competitors. Current competitors include Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Baidu.

Market Opportunity Dynamics

What to Include:

• Discuss potential revenue streams and business models.
• Highlight any opportunities for growth and expansion.

Example: Potential revenue streams for Google include:

• Google AdSense for monetizing search traffic.
• Selling dofollow backlinks to boost domain authority.
• Offering a search system API for educational institutions and businesses.
• Launching an international job portal and research thesis platform.
• Developing marketplaces for books, study materials, and educational services.

Potential Customers

What to Include:

• Identify the main groups of potential customers.
• Discuss their needs and how your product addresses them.

Example: Potential customers for Google include:

• Students and job candidates worldwide.
• Recruitment service agencies.
• Businesses seeking efficient hiring solutions.

Sales and Marketing

What to Include:

• Outline your marketing strategy.
• Specify channels and tactics for reaching your target audience.

Example: Google’s marketing strategy focuses on leveraging online channels, including social media, content marketing, and SEO. No offline marketing is planned, as the target audience primarily engages through digital platforms.

Revenue Models

What to Include:

• Describe the different ways your product will generate revenue.
• Include subscription options, pay-per-use models, and other relevant pricing strategies.

Example: Google’s revenue models include:

• Subscription fees for premium services.
• Pay-per-API call charges.
• Pay-as-you-go options for businesses and developers.

Financial Projections

What to Include:

• Estimate the costs associated with developing and maintaining your product.
• Provide revenue projections based on market size and growth rates.

Example: Estimated costs for Google include:

• One-time web application development costs.
• Monthly dedicated web server costs.
• Support team salaries and operational expenses.

Estimated Number of Potential Customers

What to Include:

• Provide an estimate of your potential customer base.
• Use data and research to support your estimates.

Example: Google estimates a potential customer base of 1.5 billion users, focusing on the one-third of the world’s population that is educated and internet-connected.

Financial Allocation

What to Include:

• Outline how funds will be allocated across different areas of the business.
• Provide percentages or specific amounts for each category.

Example: Financial allocation for Google:

• 30% Managerial
• 25% Sales & Marketing
• 25% Key Hires
• 20% Operational

Financial Forecast

		For Illustration only
REVENUE		Month 1	Month 2	Month 3	Month 4	Month 5	Month 6	Month 7	Month 8	Month 9	Month 10	Month 11	Month 12	Month 13	Month 14	Month 15	Month 16	Month 17	Month 18
Avg. Revenue		0	0	50,000	55,000	55,000	55,000	66,000	72,600	79,860	87,846	96,631	106,294	138,182	179,636	251,491	326,938	425,019	552,525
Total Subscriptions		2	4	5	5	5	5	15	15	15	15	15	15	20	20	20	20	20	20
Total Revenue		0	0	250,000	275,000	275,000	275,000	990,000	1,089,000	1,197,900	1,317,690	1,449,459	1,594,405	2,763,635	3,592,726	5,029,816	6,538,761	8,500,389	11,050,506
EXPENSES
Developers
No. of Developers		2	13	13	13	13	13	15	15	15	15	15	15	20	20	20	20	20	20			250000	40%	100000	Business development
Avg. Salary per dev.		100,000	60,000	60,000	80,000	80,000	80,000	100,000	100,000	100,000	100,000	100,000	100,000	100,000	100,000	100,000	150,000	150,000	150,000				10%	25000	Infrastrure Cost
Total Dev Payroll		200,000	240,000	300,000	1,040,000	1,040,000	1,040,000	1,500,000	1,500,000	1,500,000	1,500,000	1,500,000	1,500,000	2,000,000	2,000,000	2,000,000	3,000,000	3,000,000	3,000,000				40%	100000	Core Tech IP Development
Office Space cost		100,000	100,000	100,000	150,000	150,000	150,000	150,000	150,000	150,000	150,000	150,000	150,000	200,000	200,000	200,000	200,000	200,000	200,000				10%	25000	Integration APIs
Operations Payroll
BD/Sales/branding Payroll		100,000	100,000	100,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000
Management Payroll		100,000	100,000	100,000	500,000	500,000	500,000	500,000	500,000	500,000	500,000	500,000	500,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000
Other Expenses 1	Cloud services	20,000	22,000	24,200	50,000	55,000	60,500	66,550	73,205	80,526	88,578	97,436	107,179	117,897	129,687	142,656	156,921	172,614	189,875
Other Expenses 2	Computer services	30,000	33,000	36,300	50,000	55,000	60,500	66,550	73,205	80,526	88,578	97,436	107,179	117,897	129,687	142,656	156,921	172,614	189,875
Other Expenses 3	Travelling & Exhibitons	30,000	33,000	36,300	30,000	33,000	36,300	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000
Total Expenses		580,000	628,000	696,800	2,820,000	2,833,000	2,847,300	4,283,100	4,296,410	4,311,051	4,327,156	4,344,872	4,364,359	5,435,795	5,459,374	5,485,312	6,513,843	6,545,227	6,579,750
Net Loss/Profit		-580,000	-628,000	-446,800	-2,545,000	-2,558,000	-2,572,300	-3,293,100	-3,207,410	-3,113,151	-3,009,466	-2,895,413	-2,769,954	-2,672,160	-1,866,649	-455,496	24,918	1,955,162	4,470,756
																-$2,277.48	$124.59	$9,775.81	$22,353.78
One Time Expenses (Capital Expenses)						Revenue	10% monthly increase after 6th month		30% increase after 12th month
Item	Cost per Unit	No. Of Units	Total			Total Revenue	46,189,286	219,949										50,000	revenue	6.944444444
Laptops	50,000	6	300,000			Total Expense	72,351,348	344,530						75000	30% equity			18000	profit
Furniture & office renovation			1,000,000			Min Net required	-32,157,402	-160787
Desktop High end PC	200,000	6	1,200,000	1,000,000
											Support in branding and business development
		Total	2,500,000	3,500,000							Support in productization and implementation
											Support in expanding footprint in middleeast