Financial projections investors trust

Build bottom-up numbers with clear assumptions.

1. 1

   List startup costs

   Equipment, build-out, deposits, licenses, inventory, initial marketing, 6 months of operating reserve.

2. 2

   Model revenue bottom-up

   Customers × frequency × price, month by month. Avoid '1% of a huge market'.

3. 3

   Model costs

   Fixed (rent, salaries, insurance) and variable (materials, fees).

4. 4

   Cash flow & break-even

   Show the lowest cash point and the month you break even.

5. 5

   Scenarios

   Best, base, and worst cases. Investors want to see you've planned for downside.