Expert Guidance
Writing your business plan just got easier
We admit it. Writing a great business plan isn't exactly a breeze. But just like anything else, using the right tools makes it way easier. Business Plan Pro gives you the advice and guidance you need to forget your fears and start writing your plan with the confidence of an expert. And to get expert results!
Helpful examples
Examples at every step
With over 500 sample plans included in the software, you've got examples to help you write every part of your plan. Say you're not sure what your Market Needs section should say. No problem--just click the example tab and view a handful of Market Needs descriptions. Cut and paste if you find one that works for you, or just get a sense of direction for writing your own. You don't have to wonder if you're doing it right, because you can easily measure your work against successful examples.
Let the software do the math
Just plug in your numbers and the calculations are done for you. Now you have instant access to business planning calculations, and an explanation of every financial term. Only Business Plan Pro offers powerful, integrated financial and spreadsheet support.
Easy-to-follow instructions
Wherever and whenever you need help, Business Plan Pro offers complete instructions for your every topic and table in your business plan.
Advice from expert business planner, Tim Berry
A planning expert at your side
Tim Berry is the recognized authority on business planning. An expert business planner and principal author of Business Plan Pro, his advice and expertise guides you through every step of creating your business plan. He's a best-selling author and prolific writer, whose blogs can be found at TimBerry.com, Entrepreneur.com, Amex Open Forum, and others. Using Business Plan Pro is like having Tim sitting next to you while you write your business plan.
Save Time
Finish your business plan and have time left to read War and Peace
Writing a business plan doesn't have to take forever. Business Plan Pro takes care of the details so you can focus on the meat of your plan, saving you time and letting you create the best possible plan for your business.
Over 500 sample plans
500+ sample plans
Say goodbye to writer's block and hello to getting your plan done quickly. Easily find, read, and edit sample plans that match your business type. Business Plan Pro software comes with more than 500 complete sample business plans for all sorts of company types.
The exclusive Sample Plan Browser lets you quickly find the plan that meets your needs. Then you can write up the plan in your own words (step-by-step guidance makes it a snap!). Or simply edit the text found in any of the 500+ real working sample plans. Every single plan can be opened and edited in Business Plan Pro to give you the jump-start you need.
Step-by-step instructions
Step-by-step instructions
You could spend weeks finding all the information you need to put together a complete, professional business plan. Or you could let the detailed instructions in Business Plan Pro guide you. Searchable help articles add an additional layer of information for you to pull from, saving you even more time by giving you all the tools you need to get your plan done fast.
Automatic charts and graphs
No need to spend time creating charts and graphs to go with all the tables in your plan. Business Plan Pro does it for you. As you input and update your numbers, your charts change automatically. You can choose the colors and types of charts you want to use, or go with the standard settings and not have to think about the charts again.
Great Presentations
Make your business plan the belle of the ball
Business plans shouldn't all look alike. Every business is unique, and every business plan should be too. Make yours stand out from the rest with custom charts and graphs and easy PowerPoint presentations. Whether you're presenting to your boss or to a lender, be sure you wow your audience with a great looking plan.
Create a professional business plan
Every page is automatically organized and collated to produce a bulletproof plan that gets results, all in the preferred format of banks, investors, and SBA lenders.
Business Plan Pro even includes five professional PowerPoint templates so you can pitch your plan like a pro and impress any audience.
Informative charts and graphs
Easy export for presentations
You'll want to put your best foot forward when you present your plan to bankers, investors, or potential partners. Simply export to Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF to share your plan. You can even export to PowerPoint to create a winning presentation.
Customize every page
Create a plan that is unique for your business. Rearrange the outline and add just what you need. Don't be squeezed into an inflexible, one-size-fits-all cookie-cutter planning product.
Automatic charts and graphs
Illustrate your key points with great looking charts and graphs. They're generated automatically based on the information you've already input in your financials. Customize your charts for a plan that meets your specific needs.
Funding Tools
Business plan funding tools
If you're showing your business plan to bankers, investors, or other lenders, you better make sure it's got all the information they're going to need to make a decision. Business Plan Pro is packed with tools to make sure your plan is complete and accurate, and even includes a database to help you find venture capital!
Matches the format preferred by banks, investors, and SBA lenders
Business Plan Pro uses a format that meets the most stringent requirements of banks, SBA lenders, angel investors, and venture capitalists.
Step-by-step financials
Expert guidance and a simple interface take you through every step of every financial table in Business Plan Pro. Detailed instructions and explanations to ensure that you build a solid plan. And the table wizard gives you feedback about your numbers to help you create a business plan that will get you the funding you need.
Powerful financial and spreadsheet support
Real-world financial data
Business Plan Pro leverages more than 9,000 industry profiles to give you insight into how your business compares against similar companies in your industry. The most recent data from your industry gets pulled right into your plan, so you can show investors that your numbers are on target, or explain why they differ.
Easy Financials
Business planning financials made easy
Don't fear the financial section of your business plan--you don't need an MBA to get it right. Business Plan Pro makes financial forecasts easy, with built-in formulas in all the spreadsheets and expert advice every step of the way.
Financials made easy
Business Plan Pro's table wizards guide you through creating your financial forecasts. You just plug in your numbers and the calculations are done for you. Plus, you have instance access to the methodology behind standard business planning calculations, and an explanation of every financial term. Only Business Plan Pro offers such powerful, integrated financial and spreadsheet support.
Create long-term financial forecasts
Business Plan Pro allows for long-term forecasting of your. Detailed financial forecasting is available through the first five years, while a long-term macro-view summary can be created for up to 10 years in the future.
Simplified drag-and-drop forecaster
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Simplified forecasting
Create forecasts visually with a "drag and drop" graphic forecaster. The forecaster is a simple and powerful tool to streamline the forecasting process. You can easily change your sales and expenses estimates. Simply clicking your mouse button to move the line on your forecast chart or apply a growth rate to the whole year. Build forecasts using visual common sense.
Research Resources
A library of business planning resources
You didn't know a business plan required so much research, did you? Don't worry, Business Plan Pro includes tons of current, accurate information about your industry, legal issues, and business planning in general. You won't need to run to the library or search random websites for the data you need to support your plan.
Real-world financial data
Business Plan Pro leverages more than 9,000 different industry profiles to give you insight into how your business compares against similar companies in your industry. The most recent data from inudstry gets pulled right into your plan, so you can show investors that your numbers are on target, or explain where they differ.
Answers to your legal questions
There are plenty of legal issues you have to think about when you're starting up a business. Business Plan Pro includes resources to help you navigate the legal waters, from "Trademark Basics for Naming Your Small Business" to the Nolo Small Business Law Center, you'll find answers to most of your legal questions.
Required reading for business planning
The Plan-As-You-Go Business Plan by Tim Berry
Every purchase of Business Plan Pro includes the e-book edition of The Plan-As-You-Go Business Plan. In this new book from Entrepreneur Press, celebrated planning expert Tim Berry describes his no-nonsense approach to business planning for small and growing businesses.
Hurdle: The Book on Business Planning by Tim Berry
Also included with Business Plan Pro is the e-book edition of Tim Berry's classic business planning guide. Hurdle is a practical, step-by-step guide to developing a business plan. Emphasizing real business plans that focus on concrete and measurable results, Berry's book covers all the basics including what to include in a plan, where to find information, and an excellent simple guide to business numbers that stands out for its explanation of cash flow.
Research your funding options
You could scour the Internet for a week and not find all the information we've amassed in our Venture Capital database. Over 1,200 profiles of venture capital firms worldwide are included. The database is searchable, so you can look for firms by business type, funding stage, location, or funding need.
Extras
But wait, there's more!
When you buy Business Plan Pro, you're not just getting the best-selling business plan software available. You're also getting tons of extra value from our partners who offer tools and services every business needs.
Get a free logo
Use Logomaker by HP's easy design tools to create your own logo and use it on your website for free.
One-year subscription to Inc. Magazine (or refund)
Your online purchase of Business Plan Pro software includes a one-year subscription (12 issues, valued at ) to Inc., one of the most popular magazines for entrepreneurs and small businesses. If you are a current subscriber, your subscription will be extended for another year. Offer available to U.S. residents only, limit one per household.
Unparalleled customer service
At Palo Alto Software, we pride ourselves on providing quality, U.S.-based customer service. And we're not going to charge you for it. Whether you've lost your serial number, are having computer issues, or have questions about how to use Business Plan Pro, our in-house customer care team is highly trained and ready to help you.
Small business legal guide
Learn the ins and outs of small business legal issues and how to choose a legal structure for your business.
Trademark basics ebook
This ebook from Nolo gives you an overview of trademark law, doing business name searches, and much more.
Free business plan review
Business Plan Pro users get a free plan review from professional business plan writing consultants.
Professional PowerPoint templates
Business Plan Pro includes five professional PowerPoint templates, plus additional discounts on templates and designs.
