Who this template is for
- First-time founders writing a full plan
- Applicants for bank and SBA loans
- Anyone who wants a traditional, thorough plan
How to fill it in
- Download the template and save a copy with your business name.
- Work through one section at a time, replacing each prompt with your answer.
- Fill in the financial tables, or use our Excel projections template to build the numbers.
- Write the executive summary last.
- Ask someone outside the business to read it and mark anything unclear.
- Export to PDF before you send it.
What is inside
- 1. Executive Summary
- Summary
- 2. Company Description
- Business name, legal structure and location
- Mission and vision
- History and current stage
- Goals for the next three years
- 3. Products and Services
- Product or service table
- What makes your offer different
- 4. Market Analysis
- Industry overview and trends
- Target customer profile
- Market table
- 5. Competition
- Competitor table
- Your competitive advantage
- 6. Marketing and Sales Plan
- Positioning and brand
- Channel table
- Sales process
- 7. Operations Plan
- Location and facilities
- Suppliers and equipment
Writing a full business plan?
Browse 39 free sample plans by industry, each with startup costs and projections.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a startup business plan be?
Most traditional plans run 15 to 30 pages plus appendices. Clarity matters more than length.
What is the difference between a startup plan and a regular plan?
A startup plan relies on research and assumptions because there is no operating history, so it explains the market and the assumptions behind the forecast in more detail.
Is this startup business plan template free to use?
Yes. Download it, edit it and use it for your own business at no cost. No account or email address is required.