Publications

Book Chapter

The new economy has revolutionized the way we are doing business and the way businesses are created. Underlying the changes is the way venture capital has made it possible to finance an idea or a team even before there is any product or patent.

In 1999, "gold rush entrepreneurship" flourished and was fed by an abundance of funding. However, the times when anyone could get financed are over; investors are looking for well-structured, credible projects. Negative sentiment to Internet start-ups means e-business plans need to be at least as solid as traditional business plans.

This article aims to help entrepreneurs wanting to start a business. The objective is not to provide a template for a business plan, but to give hints, based on the experience of those who have already done it, be they entrepreneurs or investors. Writing a business plan develops understanding and provides a focus on the essentials. It may seem a time-consuming, even painful, but the returns are worth the effort.