Subject – Financial Projections

Background 

Financial projections are an integral part of a startup business plan. During the Seed Funding Stage ($500K to $1.5 Million) financial projections predicting the company’s future revenue, expenses and profits are presented to attract professional investors.

Problem

First-time founders often make these common errors in generating the financial projections.
1. Financial projections made with top down method; assuming company will obtain certain percentage of available market size producing high revenue numbers. 
2. High operating profits due to lack of understanding of expenses needed to operate business
3. Projecting unrealistic high revenue and high profit margins thinking that the overly optimistic numbers will attract Professional investors to invest in the startup. Often it has the opposite effect, professional investors have good understanding of business and will not believe the very high revenue and profit levels are achievable and therefore will not Invest in the startup.

Solution

The preferred method or process use to general financial projections that are realistic, practical an acceptable to investors uses following process:
1. Financial projections should be made using bottoms up approach.
2. Financial data should be calculated with projected sales of products incorporating quantities and prices.
3. Detail operating expenses should be included; do not omitted required expenses
4. Financial numbers should be projected that have reasonable chance of attainable.

Financial Projections – Best Practices:

To learn more about best practices for generating financial projections that are realistic and acceptable to professional investors who are experienced business executives; join Startup-Mentors Membership.