Startup Consulting

Investors and banks want to see that your idea is not only innovative but also realistically profitable.

You can achieve this by:

• Creating a clear, concise pitch deck that presents the problem, solution, market, competitive advantage, and business model

• Providing a transparent financial plan with realistic revenue, costs, and liquidity forecasts

• Demonstrating that you understand your market

• Showing authenticity and passion – investors often invest in people, not just ideas

Your pitch deck should clearly cover the following points:

• Problem & Solution

• Market size & Target group

• Business model & Revenue sources

• Competition & Differentiation

• Team & Expertise

• Financial planning & Capital requirements

• Roadmap & Milestones

Too many technical details, long texts, or unrealistic projections are less relevant. Keep it visual and focused!

A business plan is your roadmap to business success and should be clear, structured, and realistic. It typically contains these key components:

• Executive Summary: A brief summary of your business idea, goals, and USP (Unique Selling Proposition)

• Company description: Who you are, what you do and what problem you solve

• Market analysis: Target group, market size, trends and competitive situation

• Business model: How you make money (products, services, prices)

• Marketing & Sales strategy: How to reach and win customers

• Organisation & Team: Who is behind it, competencies and roles

• Financial planning: Sales, cost and liquidity planning as well as capital requirements

• Risk analysis: Possible risks and how to minimize them

Here's how to proceed:

1. Research & Preparation: Collect all information about the market, customers, and competition.

2. Define structure: Use a proven outline or template.

3. Write clearly and realistically: Avoid technical jargon and exaggerated predictions.

4. Get feedback: Have experienced people review the plan.

5. Update regularly: The business plan is a living document, not a dust collector.

This way, your business plan becomes not just a document for investors and financiers, but a practical tool for your success.

Typical weaknesses can be:

• Unclear target group or poor product-market fit

• Overly optimistic sales assumptions

• Lack of diversification in revenue streams

• High dependence on individual customers or partners

• Inefficient cost structure

Systematically analyse your business model and seek external feedback, e.g., from mentors or advisors.

Cash flow planning means realistically mapping your actual cash inflows and outflows:

• Use conservative estimates for revenue (e.g. underestimate)

• Plan fixed and variable costs precisely

• Consider payment terms of customers and suppliers

• Always keep a liquidity buffer ready

• Update your planning regularly to identify deviations early

Growth also brings more complexity. To stay in control:

• Establish transparent processes and clear responsibilities

• Use digital tools for controlling and reporting

• Hold regular meetings and reviews

• Invest in your team and delegate tasks wisely

• Stay focused on your core objectives and avoid getting distracted by opportunistic “hypes”

This way, you maintain oversight and make well-informed decisions.

The ideal timing is when:

• Your product or service has been validated in the market (Proof of Concept)

• You have clear growth plans and a defined capital requirement

• You have built a solid team

• You have completed your homework on the business plan and pitch deck

Seeking funding too early can create unnecessary pressure, while waiting too long can lead to a shortage of capital. Thorough preparation is key.