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Business plan templates

From competitive analysis to financial projections, business plans give your new business a roadmap for success. Download one of our free business plan templates and take your company to the next level.

Big Data Startup Business Plan Template

Create a professional Big Data Startup business plan with our customizable Startup Business Plan Template.

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Strategize your way to success with this customizable AI virtual assistant business plan template.

Virtual Reality (VR) Business Plan

Our free virtual reality (VR) business plan helps you customize your document and create a winning strategy to land investors.

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Laundromat Business Plan

Create your success roadmap with a laundromat business plan template, designed to arrange the essentials of the laundry business.

5-Year Business Plan Template

Empower your path to long-term success with our 5-year business plan template.

Car Wash Business Plan Template

Launch and grow your car wash business with our customizable plan template.

Airbnb Business Plan Template

Unlock your path to success with our Airbnb business plan template, made to guide you in structuring the fundamental aspects of your Airbnb business.

Clothing Line Business Plan

Use this free and customizable clothing line business plan to appeal to investors and set up your fashion brand.

Gym Business Plan Template 

The Panda tips in this gym business plan template guide you through the process of researching and presenting information necessary to secure funding and partners for your business.

Handyman Business Plan Template

Start a new handyman business using a well-researched handyman business plan template to meet your goals faster.

Vending Machine Business Plan Template

If you’re starting a new vending machine business, a well-rounded vending machine business plan can improve your chances of success.

Bar Business Plan Template

Create your path to success with our bar business plan template, designed as a valuable tool to help entrepreneurs organize the bar business.

Massage Therapy Business Plan

This massage therapy business plan template helps you cover the basics of starting or expanding a massage business.

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Event Planning Business Plan 

Prepare your event planning business for success with our ready-to-fill and easily downloadable event planning business plan template.

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Use our free and fully customizable SBA business plan template to get started when writing a successful proposal for an SBA loan.

Cleaning Business Plan Template

Discover a hassle-free way to document a roadmap for your cleaning business with this free business plan template.

Real Estate Business Plan Template

Start off your new real estate business on the right foot by using a real estate business plan template to ensure your goals, visions, and finances are sorted.

Trucking Business Plan Template

Empower your journey to success with our trucking business plan template, designed as a valuable tool to organize the essentials of your trucking business.

Food Truck Business Plan Template

Find a fully customizable, free food truck business plan template that helps you create an effective proposal for interested investors.

Simple Business Plan Template

This simple business plan template walks you through the stages of establishing a successful business or seeking funding.

Solar Farm Business Plan

Give your solar farm business the best start by creating a professional business plan to keep your company on the right track.

Ecommerce Business Plan Template

This Ecommerce Business Plan Template is tailored particularly to e-commerce companies, and all you require to do is add the elements related to your business.

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Firewood Business Plan

This Firewood Business Plan Template perfectly outlines the company structure of a probable firewood venture. It highlights the budgets needed to start and manage the unique business.

Funeral Home Business Plan

A Funeral Home Business Plan covers detailed data on the courtesies offered by the company, market analysis, administration strategies, personnel procedures, budget and financing plans, and other applicable topics.

Community Center Business Plan

You can use this Community Center Business Plan Template, it is perfect for anyone desiring to open and run a society center. It gives the center’s owner an outline of areas that must be disseminated with the investors to earn an acquisition.

Gas Station Business Plan

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Beauty Supply Store Business Plan

This Beauty Supply Store Business Plan Template covers all the appropriate sections needed to invest in a beauty supply store. The template will help you to raise money for your business.

Flower Shop Business Plan Template

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Electrical Contractor Business Plan

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Car Dealership Business Plan

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Fashion Business Plan Template

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Convenience Store Business Plan

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Startup Business Plan Template

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Business Plan Template

This business plan template is a great tool for your startup to customize to reflect your strong qualifications, experienced team, and marketable business idea.

What is a business plan?

A business plan is a document that helps small business owners determine the viability of their business idea. Combining market research and financial analysis, a professional business plan helps startup CEOs and potential investors determine if the company can compete in the target market.

Typically, a good business plan consists of the following:

• Executive summary
• Company description
• Mission statement
• Product and services
• Marketing plan
• Operations plan
• Management organization
• Financial plan
• Conclusion & appendix

Every section involved in a business plan is designed to help startup businesses reach their target market.

A business plan asks founders and entrepreneurs to detail their business strategy in a step-by-step process that makes sense from an operational perspective. This is essential if a startup is seeking a business loan or an investment from a venture capital firm.

However, even small businesses that are already economically viable can benefit from creating a business plan, since it encourages business owners and their management teams to examine their business model and reevaluate the best ways to reach their target customers.

Should I use a business plan template?

Yes.  If you’ve never written one, a business plan can be challenging to write.

Creating a successful plan that you can use to grow your small business can require weeks of market analysis and financial preparation. You may spend time using Microsoft Excel or Powerpoint in order to create documentation which better supports our operational decisions.

However, almost every professional business plan is structured in the same way and most ask for the same information. Because of this, using a business plan template is advisable to save time, money, and effort.

Business plan templates for free

Rather than spending time trying to figure out how to write a business plan , use a free template as a guide to completion.

Business plan templates from PandaDoc can help you reach an effective go-to-market strategy even faster by asking you to provide all the relevant information you need when creating an effective business plan.

Grab a free template to get started!

Frequently asked questions

How many pages should my business plan be.

This depends on the kind of business plan you need to write and how you intend to use the plan that you create.

For example, a plan for a small business seeking potential investors or a business loan will need to provide income statements, cash flow statements, and a balance sheet (usually for a three-year or five-year forecast period).

These financial statements can be omitted if a small business owner isn’t seeking funding and is instead planning to use their business plan as a guiding document for themselves and their management team members.

Some business plans may only run a few pages. Fully-developed business plans can be as long as 50 pages. Much of this depends on the type of business, the operational strategy, and the level of detail that goes into developing the business plan.

Who needs a business plan?

Every business should have a business plan. This is an essential guidance document for any founder or CEO.

Good business plans help a company determine the viability of its place in the market and can help the business develop better strategies for differentiating itself from its competitors.

Business planning also forces business owners to evaluate their marketing strategy, the cost of customer acquisition and retention, and how they plan to grow their business over time.

What is the best business plan template?

Business plans come in all shapes and sizes. The best business plan template for your business is one that you understand and that matches the size and legal structure of your operation.

If you’re a sole proprietor, a business plan template designed for a big corporation probably doesn’t make sense. However, a business plan that helps you build an effective roadmap to grow your business while protecting your intellectual property is a good starting point.

PandaDoc offers specialized business plan templates for common industries along with tips to help you get started with business planning.

Should I hire someone to write my business plan for me?

No. You’ll find freelance writers and business strategy companies out there who are happy to write your business plan for a fee.  These resources can guide you through the process, but you should write (or be heavily involved in) the creation of your business plan.

The reason for this is simple: You know the most about your business, and your business needs you to succeed.

A writer can work with you to make your business plan sound better to investors, and a consultant can help you fill in knowledge gaps — like how to conduct a SWOT analysis — and point out weaknesses in your plan. But, at the end of the day, you need to use the business plan to pitch investors and run your business.

Those ideas and guiding principles aren’t something you can outsource.

Should I use business planning software?

Software isn’t required when creating an effective business plan. Most business planning software is designed to help you navigate the outlining and writing process more effectively.

You don’t need software to write a professional business plan, but a solid template can help you get started. Download a free template from PandaDoc today and take your business to the next level.

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Simple Business Plan Templates

By Joe Weller | April 2, 2020

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In this article, we’ve compiled a variety of simple business plan templates, all of which are free to download in PDF, Word, and Excel formats.

On this page, you’ll find a one-page business plan template , a simple business plan for startups , a small-business plan template , a business plan outline , and more. We also include a business plan sample and the main components of a business plan to help get you started.

Simple Business Plan Template

Download Simple Business Plan Template

Word  |  PDF

This simple business plan template lays out each element of a traditional business plan to assist you as you build your own, and it provides space to add financing information for startups seeking funding. You can use and customize this simple business plan template to fit the needs for organizations of any size.

One-Page Business Plan Template

Download One-Page Business Plan Template

Excel  |  Word  |  PDF  | Smartsheet

Use this one-page business plan to document your key ideas in an organized manner. The template can help you create a high-level view of your business plan, and it provides easy scannability for stakeholders. You can use this one-page plan as a reference to build a more detailed blueprint for your business. 

For additional single page plans, take a look at " One-Page Business Plan Templates with a Quick How-To Guide ."

Simple Fill-in-the-Blank Business Plan Template

Download Simple Fill-in-the-Blank Business Plan Template

Use this fill-in-the-blank business plan template to guide you as you build your business plan. Each section comes pre-filled with sample content, with space to add customized verbiage relevant to your product or service.

For additional free, downloadable resources, visit " Free Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan Templates ."

Simple Business Plan for Startup

‌  Download Startup Business Plan Template — Word

This business plan template is designed with a startup business in mind and contains the essential elements needed to convey key product or service details to investors and stakeholders. Keep all your information organized with this template, which provides space to include an executive summary, a company overview, competitive analysis, a marketing strategy, financial data, and more. For additional resources, visit " Free Startup Business Plan Templates and Examples ."

Simple Small-Business Plan Template

Download Simple Small-Business Plan Template

This template walks you through each component of a small-business plan, including the company background, the introduction of the management team, market analysis, product or service offerings, a financial plan, and more. This template also comes with a built-in table of contents to keep your plan in order, and it can be customized to fit your requirements.

Lean Business Plan Template

Download Lean Business Plan Template

This lean business plan template is a stripped-down version of a traditional business plan that provides only the most essential aspects. Briefly outline your company and industry overview, along with the problem you are solving, as well as your unique value proposition, target market, and key performance metrics. There is also room to list out a timeline of key activities.

Simple Business Plan Outline Template

Download Simple Business Plan Outline Template

Use this simple business plan outline as a basis to create your own business plan. This template contains 11 sections, including a title page and a table of contents, which details what each section should cover in a traditional business plan. Simplify or expand this outline to create the foundation for a business plan that fits your business needs.

Simple Business Planning Template with Timeline

Download Simple Business Planning Template with Timeline

Excel  | Smartsheet

This template doubles as a project plan and timeline to track progress as you develop your business plan. This business planning template enables you to break down your work into phases and provides room to add key tasks and dates for each activity. Easily fill in the cells according to the start and end dates to create a visual timeline, as well as to ensure your plan stays on track.

Simple Business Plan Rubric Template

Download Simple Business Plan Rubric

Once you complete your business plan, use this business plan rubric template to assess and score each component of your plan. This rubric helps you identify elements of your plan that meet or exceed requirements and pinpoint areas where you need to improve or further elaborate. This template is an invaluable tool to ensure your business plan clearly defines your goals, objectives, and plan of action in order to gain buy-in from potential investors, stakeholders, and partners.

Basic Business Plan Sample

Download Basic Business Plan Sample

This business plan sample serves as an example of a basic business plan that contains all the traditional components. The sample provides a model of what a business plan might look like for a fictional food truck business. Reference this sample as you develop your own business plan.

For additional resources to help support your business planning efforts, check out “ Free Strategic Planning Templates .”

Main Components of a Business Plan

The elements you include in your business plan will depend on your product or service offerings, as well as the size and needs of your business. 

Below are the components of a standard business plan and details you should include in each section:

• Company name and contact information
• Website address
• The name of the company or individual viewing the presentation
• Table of Contents
• Company background and purpose
• Mission and vision statement
• Management team introduction
• Core product and service offerings
• Target customers and segments
• Marketing plan
• Competitive analysis
• Unique value proposition
• Financial plan (and requirements, if applicable)
• Business and industry overview
• Historical timeline of your business
• Offerings and the problem they solve
• Current alternatives
• Competitive advantage
• Market size
• Target market segment(s)
• Projected volume and value of sales compared to competitors
• Differentiation from competitors
• Pricing strategy
• Marketing channels
• Promotional plan
• Distribution methods
• Legal structure of your business
• Names of founders, owners, advisors, etc.
• Management team’s roles, relevant experience, and compensation plan
• Staffing requirements and training plans
• Physical location(s) of your business
• Additional physical requirements (e.g., warehouse, specialized equipment, facilities, etc.)
• Production workflow
• Raw materials and sourcing methods
• Projected income statement
• Projected cash flow statement
• Projected balance sheet
• Break-even analysis
• Charts and graphs
• Market research and competitive analysis
• Information about your industry
• Information about your offerings
• Samples of marketing materials
• Other supporting materials

Tips for Creating a Business Plan

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed at the thought of putting together a business plan. Below, you’ll find top tips to help simplify the process as you develop your own plan. 

• Use a business plan template (you can choose from the variety above), or refer to the previous section to create a standard outline for your plan.
• Modify your outline to reflect the requirements of your specific business. If you use a standard business plan outline, remove sections that aren’t relevant to you or aren’t necessary to run your business.
• Gather all the information you currently have about your business first, and then use that information to fill out each section in your plan outline.
• Use your resources and conduct additional research to fill in the remaining gaps. (Note: It isn’t necessary to fill out your plan in order, but the executive summary needs to be completed last, as it summarizes the key points in your plan.)
• Ensure your plan clearly communicates the relationship between your marketing, sales, and financial objectives.
• Provide details in your plan that illustrate your strategic plan of action, looking forward three to five years.
• Revisit your plan regularly as strategies and objectives evolve.
• What product or service are we offering?
• Who is the product or service for?
• What problem does our product or service offering solve?
• How will we get the product or service to our target customers?
• Why is our product or service better than the alternatives?
• How can we outperform our competitors?
• What is our unique value proposition?
• When will things get done, and who is responsible for doing them?
• If you need to obtain funding, how will you use the funding?
• When are payments due, and when do payments come in?
• What is the ultimate purpose of your business?
• When do you expect to be profitable?

To identify which type of business plan you should write, and for more helpful tips, take a look at our guide to writing a simple business plan .

Benefits of Using a Business Plan Template

Creating a business plan can be very time-consuming, especially if you aren’t sure where to begin. Finding the right template for your business needs can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. 

Using a business plan template — instead of creating your plan from scratch — can benefit you in the following ways:

• Enables you to immediately write down your thoughts and ideas in an organized manner
• Provides structure to help outline your plan
• Saves time and valuable resources
• Helps ensure you don’t miss essential details

Limitations of a Business Plan Template

A business plan template can be convenient, but it has its drawbacks — especially if you use a template that doesn’t fit the specific needs of your business.

Below are some limitations of using a business plan template:

• Each business is unique and needs a business plan that reflects that. A template may not fit your needs.
• A template may restrict collaboration with other team members on different aspects of the plan’s development (sales, marketing, and accounting teams).
• Multiple files containing different versions of the plan may be stored in more than one place.
• You still have to manually create charts and graphs to add to the plan to support your strategy.
• Updates to the plan, spreadsheets, and supporting documents have to be made in multiple places (all documents may not update in real time as changes are made).

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When teams have clarity into the work getting done, there’s no telling how much more they can accomplish in the same amount of time.  Try Smartsheet for free, today.

Discover why over 90% of Fortune 100 companies trust Smartsheet to get work done.

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Business Plan for Sole Proprietor

Published Jul.02, 2024

Updated Oct.04, 2024

By: Alex Silensky

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Table of Content

A sole proprietorship is the simplest and most common form of business ownership, where a single individual owns and operates the business. Creating a business plan as a sole proprietor is essential for setting a clear direction, attracting potential investors, and managing your business effectively. This comprehensive guide will provide a detailed roadmap for developing a robust business plan for a sole proprietor, covering key components such as market analysis, business structure, marketing strategies, financial projections, and more.

Understanding Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is a business owned and run by one person, with no legal distinction between the owner and the business entity. This form of ownership offers several advantages, including simplicity, full control over decisions, and straightforward tax filing. However, it also comes with personal liability for business debts and obligations. Understanding these aspects is crucial for anyone looking to start and successfully run a sole proprietorship. If your business plan includes international growth or hiring skilled professionals from abroad, exploring options like the EB2 business visa might be beneficial to expand your operations.

Market Evaluation

Before diving into the specifics of your business plan, it is essential to conduct a thorough market evaluation. Understanding the market dynamics, customer needs, and competitive landscape will help you make informed decisions and identify opportunities for growth.

Insights into the Sole Proprietorship Industry

The sole proprietorship industry encompasses a wide range of businesses, from freelance services and small retail shops to independent consultants and tradespeople. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, sole proprietorships make up about 73% of all businesses in the United States. This prevalence underscores the importance of a well-crafted business plan to navigate the competitive landscape and achieve long-term success. To communicate your business model and potential to investors, consider developing a compelling pitch deck as part of your planning process.

Benefits of Writing a Business Plan for Sole Proprietors

Writing a business plan offers numerous benefits for sole proprietors. It provides a clear roadmap for your business, helping you to set realistic goals, allocate resources effectively, and track progress. A well-structured business plan can also attract investors and lenders by demonstrating that you have a viable business idea and a solid strategy for achieving success. Additionally, it can help you identify potential challenges and develop contingency plans to address them.

Key Components of a Business Plan for Sole Proprietor

A comprehensive business plan for a sole proprietor should include the following key components:

Executive Summary

The executive summary is a concise overview of your business plan, highlighting the main points and objectives. It should provide a snapshot of your business, including your mission statement, product or service offerings, target market, and financial goals. Although it appears first in the business plan, it is often written last, after you have detailed all other sections.

Business Description

The business description provides an in-depth look at your business. Describe your business, including its name, location, and the products or services you offer. Explain what makes your business unique and how it addresses a specific need or gap in the market. Include details about your business structure, such as your legal name, form of ownership, and any relevant licenses or permits.

Conducting a market analysis involves researching your industry, target market, and competitors. Identify your target market’s demographics, preferences, and buying behavior. Analyze industry trends and growth projections, and assess the competitive landscape by identifying your main competitors, their strengths and weaknesses, and your competitive advantage.

Organization and Management

As a sole proprietor, you may be the sole decision-maker, but it’s still important to outline your management structure. Describe your role and responsibilities, and include any plans for hiring employees or working with contractors. Detail your business’s organizational structure, including any key advisors or mentors who provide guidance and support.

Products and Services

Provide a detailed description of the products or services you offer. Explain the benefits and features of each product or service, and highlight what sets them apart from competitors. If applicable, discuss your product development process, any intellectual property protections, and your plans for future product or service expansions.

Marketing and Sales Strategy

Your marketing and sales strategy outlines how you plan to attract and retain customers. Describe your pricing strategy, promotional activities, and sales tactics. Discuss your brand positioning, target audience, and marketing channels you will use to reach your customers. Include details about your sales process, customer service approach, and any plans for loyalty programs or referral incentives. If your business involves international clients, exploring the E2 visa can facilitate market entry and operations in foreign markets.

Financial Projections

Financial projections are a crucial part of your business plan, providing a forecast of your business’s financial performance. Include projected income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets for at least the next three to five years. Provide a break-even analysis to determine when your business will become profitable. Discuss any funding requirements, potential sources of financing, and your strategy for managing expenses and revenue growth.

Sample Business Plan for Sole Proprietor

To help you get started, here is a sample outline of a business plan for a sole proprietor:

• Brief overview of the business
• Mission statement
• Key products or services
• Target market
• Financial goals
• Business name and location
• Description of products or services
• Unique value proposition

Market Analysis

• Industry overview
• Target market demographics
• Competitive analysis
• Owner’s role and responsibilities
• Organizational structure
• Detailed description of products or services
• Benefits and features
• Plans for future offerings
• Pricing strategy
• Promotional activities
• Sales tactics
• Projected income statements
• Cash flow statements
• Balance sheets
• Break-even analysis
• Funding requirements

Business Plan Template for Sole Proprietor Design Business

For those in the design industry, creating a tailored business plan can help you focus on your unique strengths and market opportunities. Your plan should highlight your design philosophy, portfolio of work, and target market. Emphasize your expertise in specific design areas, such as graphic design, interior design, or web design, and outline your strategy for attracting clients through online portfolios, social media, and networking events.

How to Write a Small Business Plan for Handyman Sole Proprietor

Writing a business plan for a handyman business involves detailing the services you offer, your target market, and your pricing strategy. Highlight your skills and experience, and explain how you will market your services to homeowners, property managers, and businesses. Include information about your tools and equipment, any necessary certifications or licenses, and your plans for expanding your service offerings.

Sole Proprietorship Business Plan Example

An example business plan for a sole proprietorship might be a freelance graphic designer. The plan would include a description of the services offered, such as logo design, branding, and marketing materials. The market analysis would identify target clients, such as small businesses and startups, and analyze competitors. The marketing strategy might involve showcasing a portfolio on a professional website, leveraging social media, and networking at industry events. Financial projections would include expected revenue from client projects, expenses for software and marketing, and break-even analysis.

Creating a Business Plan Template Free

Many online resources offer free business plan templates that can be customized to fit your specific needs. Websites like HubSpot , Wrike , and Shopify provide templates and guides to help you create a comprehensive business plan. These templates typically include sections for the executive summary, business description, market analysis, organization and management, products and services, marketing and sales strategy, and financial projections.

Form of Ownership in Business Plan

When detailing the form of ownership in your business plan, clearly state that your business is a sole proprietorship. Explain why this structure is advantageous for your business, such as simplicity, full control over decisions, and ease of tax filing. Acknowledge the potential downsides, such as personal liability for business debts, and outline any measures you will take to mitigate these risks.

Business Plan LLC vs. Sole Proprietorship

While this guide focuses on sole proprietorships, it’s important to understand the differences between a sole proprietorship and a limited liability company (LLC). An LLC provides limited liability protection, meaning your personal assets are protected from business debts and lawsuits. However, LLCs require more paperwork, ongoing compliance, and fees compared to sole proprietorships. When choosing the right structure, consider your business’s specific needs, potential risks, and growth plans.

A well-crafted business plan is essential for the success of a sole proprietorship. It serves as a roadmap for your business, helping you set clear goals, attract investors, and manage your operations effectively. By conducting thorough market research, defining your business structure, and developing detailed financial projections, you can create a robust business plan that positions your sole proprietorship for long-term success.

Get Started with OGS Capital Today

Ready to take the next step in your business journey? Start developing your business plan today to set a clear path for your sole proprietorship. For professional guidance and a customized business plan, get started with OGS Capital today. Your dedication to planning and preparation will lay the foundation for your business’s success. Start now and turn your business dreams into reality!

Frequently Asked Questions 

What type of business is best for sole proprietorship?

A sole proprietorship is ideal for small businesses with low liability risks and simple operations. It suits freelance services, consulting, retail shops, and trades like handymen or graphic designers. These businesses benefit from easy setup, full control, and straightforward tax filing. However, high-risk businesses may require additional liability protection not offered by sole proprietorships.

How to write a business plan for a sole trader?

To write a business plan for a sole trader, start with an executive summary outlining your business goals and services. Include a detailed business description, market analysis, and competitor review. Define your marketing and sales strategies, organizational structure, and financial projections. Clearly state your form of ownership and address how you will manage personal liability and risks.

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rated document, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

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