Startups & New Ventures
Translate an early-stage concept into a clear business model, market proposition, operating plan and financial case.
Business Plan Consulting
A Business Plan That Explains the Business, the Numbers and the Case for Moving Forward.
Astute helps startups and existing businesses develop professional business plans for bank funding, investor discussions, expansion and management planning. The work connects the commercial story to realistic financial assumptions so the document can stand up to serious questions.
Not sure whether you need a business plan, feasibility study or financial model? Use the Astute Business Adviser on this page and describe what you are trying to achieve.
Built for the intended readerThe plan changes depending on whether it is for a bank, investor, management team or another decision-maker.
Narrative and numbers alignedThe written case and financial projections are developed to support the same commercial assumptions.
Assumptions are challengedWe identify gaps and weak logic rather than simply formatting whatever information is supplied.
You review the draftThe agreed process includes review so material issues can be clarified before finalisation.
More Than Document Writing
A business plan should stand up to serious questions.
A useful business plan does more than describe an idea. It should explain who the customer is, why the opportunity exists, how the business will compete, what resources are required, how the operation will work and whether the financial assumptions are credible.
Our role is to structure that thinking into a coherent plan. Where necessary, we challenge assumptions, identify information gaps and connect the narrative to the financial model so that the document tells one consistent story.
For opportunities requiring deeper commercial validation, the business plan can be supported by a feasibility study or dedicated market research.
Is a Business Plan the Right Starting Point?
Sometimes the right answer is not a business plan.
We would rather point you to the right piece of work than sell you a document that does not solve the real problem.
A business plan is usually suitable when:
- You need to present an existing or proposed business clearly to a bank, investor or management team.
- The core business idea is reasonably clear, but the strategy, operating plan and numbers need to be structured professionally.
- You are planning an expansion, new location, new product or funding request and need one connected business case.
- You need an updated plan because the business, market or financial assumptions have changed.
Another service may be better when:
- The main question is whether a large project or investment is viable. A feasibility study may be more appropriate.
- You mainly need evidence about customers, demand, competitors or market size. Market research may be the better starting point.
- The business case is already clear and the main gap is detailed projections, valuation or investment analysis. Financial modelling may be enough.
- You are not sure whether the business is ready to approach funders. Start with the Funding Readiness Test.
Who We Support
Business planning for different commercial situations.
The structure and depth of the work are adapted to the purpose of the plan rather than forcing every client into the same template.
Bank Financing
Present the business, funding requirement, repayment logic, assumptions and projected financial performance in a structured format.
Investor Preparation
Build a plan that clearly explains the opportunity, growth logic, economics, capital requirement, risks and management priorities.
Expansion & Growth
Assess the implications of entering a new market, adding capacity, launching a product or expanding an existing operation.
Internal Strategic Planning
Give management a documented direction with priorities, actions, resource requirements, targets and financial expectations.
Existing Business Replanning
Rework an outdated plan when market conditions, ownership priorities, operating assumptions or growth objectives have changed.
Already know you need a business plan?
Use the calculator to describe the purpose, business stage and level of support required. You will see an indicative fee and your answers become the starting point for the service request.
What the Work Can Cover
A connected commercial and financial case.
01
Executive summary and business overview
The proposition, objectives, ownership context and purpose of the plan.
02
Market and customer analysis
Target segments, demand drivers, market context and relevant customer considerations.
03
Competitive positioning
Competitors, alternatives, differentiation and the basis on which the business expects to compete.
04
Business model and revenue logic
How the organisation creates value, earns revenue and manages major cost drivers.
05
Operations and implementation
People, processes, facilities, technology, suppliers, milestones and execution requirements.
06
Marketing and sales approach
Routes to market, customer acquisition priorities, channels and commercial activities.
07
Financial projections
Assumption-led projections that may include revenue, costs, profit and loss, cash flow and other relevant schedules.
08
Funding requirement and risk considerations
Where applicable, the capital need, proposed use of funds, key dependencies and material business risks.
Final scope depends on the purpose, maturity and information available for the business. Financial projections are planning estimates based on stated assumptions and are not guarantees of future performance or funding.
What Makes the Work Credible
A serious plan should be internally consistent.
A polished document is not enough. The market assumptions, operating plan, funding need and financial projections should make sense together.
A bank plan, investor plan and internal management plan do not need the same emphasis.
If a key assumption lacks evidence, we identify it rather than hiding the weakness inside polished wording.
Revenue, costs, staffing, investment and funding assumptions should connect to how the business is expected to operate.
The calculator provides an indication, but the professional fee and delivery schedule are confirmed after the actual requirement is reviewed.
Our Working Process
Structured enough for quality. Practical enough to move.
STEP 01
Discovery
Clarify the purpose, audience, business model, funding need and available information.
STEP 02
Evidence
Collect client inputs and identify the market, operational and financial information required.
STEP 03
Analysis
Test assumptions, structure the commercial logic and develop the financial model.
STEP 04
Development
Build the narrative and supporting schedules into one coherent business case.
STEP 05
Review
Discuss the draft, resolve material gaps and finalise the agreed deliverables.
Business Plan Rate Calculator & Service Request
See the likely scope and indicative fee before you contact us.
Answer a few simple questions about the business, the purpose of the plan and the level of work required. Your answers also become your service request, so you will not need to repeat the same information when we follow up.
Business Plan Rate Calculator
Find Out What Your Business Plan May Cost.
Answer a few simple questions about your business and what you need. We will use your answers to estimate the work involved and give you an indicative professional fee.
The estimate is not a final quotation. Astute will review your request before confirming the final scope and fee.
Step 1 of 6
Related Advisory
When a business plan is only one part of the decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions buyers usually ask before engaging us.
These are the practical questions that normally affect scope, timing, cost and whether a business plan is the right service.
How long does a business plan take?
Timing depends on the scope, complexity, research requirement and how quickly the required client information is available. We confirm the expected delivery schedule after reviewing the assignment.
Can you prepare a business plan for a bank or investor?
Yes. The intended audience affects the emphasis, evidence and financial information required. We first establish who will use the plan and what decision the document is expected to support.
Do you guarantee that a business plan will secure funding?
No. A professionally developed plan can improve the quality and clarity of a funding submission, but approval remains the decision of the bank, investor, grant provider or other capital source.
What information will I need to provide?
Usually we require information about the business, owners or management, products and services, customers, operations, pricing, costs, existing financial information and the purpose of the plan. The exact information request is tailored to the assignment.
Can you help if the business is only an idea?
Yes, although early-stage concepts may require more work on the business model, market assumptions and financial logic. Where the investment decision is substantial, a feasibility study may be the better starting point.
How much does a business plan cost?
The fee depends on the purpose of the plan, business stage, research required, financial modelling complexity and how much usable information already exists. Use the rate calculator on this page for an indicative estimate. We confirm the final scope and professional fee after reviewing the actual requirement.
Will I be able to review the draft?
Yes. The working process includes review of the draft so important factual, commercial and financial issues can be clarified before the agreed deliverables are finalised.
What if I already have a business plan but it needs improvement?
You do not necessarily need to start again. We can first understand what is wrong with the current plan and determine whether it needs a focused update, stronger financial projections, new market evidence or a more substantial rebuild.
Can you just prepare the financial projections?
Yes, where the written business case is already clear and the main requirement is the financial model. In that situation, our Financial Modelling service may be the more efficient option.
Start the Conversation
Need a business plan that management, lenders or investors can examine seriously?
Tell us what the plan is for, where the business stands today and the decision you need the document to support.