So you’ve found the perfect funding opportunity — maybe it’s a government grant, a loan from SEFA, or investment from NEF or the
. But before you even think about applying, there’s one crucial tool you’ll need: a powerful, funder-ready business plan.
In this article, we’ll show you how to craft a business plan that gets attention, builds trust, and opens the door to funding.
Whether you’re applying for a grant, loan, or equity investment, this step-by-step guide will help you build a business plan that speaks the language of funders — clear, realistic, and financially solid.
✅ Why Your Business Plan Matters to Funders
Funders aren’t just handing out money. They want to know:
- Is this business viable?
- Will it grow and create jobs?
- Will they get a return (if applicable)?
- Are YOU a capable entrepreneur?
A good business plan gives them confidence in all of the above.
📑 What Your Business Plan Should Include (SA Funder Checklist)
Here’s the standard structure that South African funders (like SEFA, NEF, IDC, and DTIC) look for:
1. Executive Summary
- Think of this as the “elevator pitch” for your business.
- Keep it brief and punchy — no more than 1 page.
- Include:
- Business name & industry
- What your business does
- Your mission & vision
- Key highlights (growth to date, funding needed, what it will achieve)
2. Business Overview
- Describe your business model
- Your products or services
- How you generate revenue
- Legal structure (Pty Ltd, sole prop, etc.)
- Location and facilities
3. Market Analysis
Show that you know your industry:
- Who are your customers?
- What’s the demand?
- Who are your competitors?
- What gives you an edge (your “competitive advantage”)?
📌 Tip: Use real data and cite your sources — SA funders love to see research!
4. Marketing & Sales Plan
How will you attract and retain customers?
- Marketing channels (social media, paid ads, word of mouth?)
- Pricing strategy
- Sales approach
- Partnerships, branding, and positioning
5. Operational Plan
Break down how your business runs on a day-to-day level.
- Key roles & responsibilities
- Production or service delivery process
- Suppliers, equipment, systems
📌 Bonus: If you’re creating jobs, highlight that here!
6. Management & Team
- Introduce yourself and your team
- Include skills, experience, and roles
- If you’re a solo founder, show how you’ll manage multiple functions
📌 Tip: Investors bet on people — show them you’re capable and committed.
7. Financial Plan
This is often the make-or-break section. You must show:
- Start-up costs or funding requirements
- Cash flow projections (12-36 months)
- Income statements & balance sheets (if you’re already trading)
- Break-even analysis
- How the funding will be used
📌 Be realistic and conservative. Don’t fudge numbers or overpromise — it will backfire.
8. Funding Request & Use of Funds
Spell out:
- Exactly how much money you need
- What you’ll use it for (equipment, inventory, salaries, etc.)
- How it fits into your growth plan
- If you’re offering equity, specify terms
9. Risk Analysis & Mitigation
Funders want to know:
- What are the risks to your business?
- How will you manage or reduce those risks?
📌 Include things like market risk, competition, operational delays, cash flow issues, etc.
📥 BONUS: Supporting Documents to Attach
- CIPC Registration Document
- Tax Clearance Certificate
- B-BBEE Certificate
- ID Documents of directors
- Bank statements (3–6 months)
- Proof of address
- Financial statements or past performance (if available)
🚀 Final Thoughts: What Makes a Business Plan “Funder-Ready”?
✅ It’s clear and professional (no spelling errors or vague claims)
✅ It’s backed by numbers and research
✅ It shows a real plan for growth and sustainability
✅ It answers the question: “Why should someone invest in you?”
📌 If you take time to get your business plan right, your chances of securing funding will skyrocket.
Want Help?
Check out our free templates, tools, and walkthrough videos to help you build your plan faster.
🎥 Coming up next: We’ll show you how to structure your business plan visually and give you a downloadable template you can start using immediately.
📢 Subscribe to the Digitise SA YouTube channel so you don’t miss it!
