The big idea

Plan Cruncher was created by Lunatech Ventures, an IT investment company looking for young and talented entrepreneurs who want to build remarkable companies. Lunatech Ventures are seed investors who focus on internet and interactive media technologies. The big idea is that you should be able to succinctly describe any venture you are planning and, using the visual icons, you can quickly establish an overview of your plan:

Example: you are working on something that is going to be great

A revolutionary new idea that you are building yourself … You have a team that can build it … You have a prototype you can demo … You are gathering users … and need an investment to develop the product to the point where you charge them for the service.

Example: a lot of hot air and an unrealistic evaluation

The idea is all you have, so you want us to sign a non-disclosure agreement … You do not know how you are going to make money … You want to use someone else’s money to build it … So basically you have nothing, but have somehow come up with a valuation where 10% is the funding you need.

Purpose

Plan Cruncher icons are based around some of the key questions you should be asking yourself about your business:

• Are you ambitious? Can you build a new (or grow an existing) business?
• Do you have the skills to build the product or service?
• Do you have a track record and can you demonstrate your new idea?
• Have you worked out how to fund the product and/or service?
• How much investment capital do you need?
• Do you have a financial forecast?
• How long will it take to reach profitability or gain the necessary income?

If your plan’s executive summary is good, it can answer these questions in less than 30 seconds. 

The Tool

There are two approaches you can take to using this tool. You can either use the downloadable icons or you can go online and use the interactive Plan Cruncher site to upload your information. The Plan Cruncher site is more focused on commercial businesses and attracting investment so it may not suit all creative and cultural businesses. If you use the online tool it should take you 15 to 20 minutes to complete if you have a clear idea of your business or project.