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General business plan template

Turn your business idea into a clear, actionable plan with this free and customizable template.
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How to write a business plan with the template

Fill it out at your own pace

Move through each section step by step to outline your business model, operations, target market, and financials.

Make it your own

Edit, add, or rearrange sections depending on your industry, stage, and goals — there’s no single “right” way to build a business plan.

Share when it’s ready

Download or present your finished plan to co-founders, investors, or advisors to align on next steps and strengthen your case for funding.

Business plans, explained.

Align your team. Build trust with investors and lenders.

A written business plan serves as a sort of roadmap. Whether you’re validating an idea, pitching for funding, or setting internal goals, a business plan helps you articulate your strategy, test assumptions, and keep your team aligned.

What comes after your business plan

Once complete, your plan becomes the baseline for fundraising, hiring, and scaling. It serves as both a strategic guide and a communication tool to keep co-founders, employees, and partners on the same page as your company grows.

FAQs

A business plan is a structured document outlining what your business does, who it serves, and how it will grow. It typically includes sections on your business model, operations, marketing, and financial projections.

Not every business requires a formal plan, but all types of businesses can benefit from having one. A well-crafted business plan can strengthen your ability to access capital, create strategic alignment across your team, and provide a roadmap for growth.

The best time to write a plan is before launch — but the second best time is now. Whether you’re still pre-revenue, preparing to raise a round, or seeking a business loan, a clear plan can help keep you focused as you make key decisions.

While the specifics vary by stage and industry, a good rule of thumb is to include projected revenue, expenses, and funding requirements. Projections, even rough ones, can support planning and funding discussions, as long as they’re clearly presented as estimates (and not guarantees).

Not necessarily. One core plan can work across audiences, but the emphasis should shift. For investors or lenders, highlight your growth potential, financial projections, and how new funding will fuel your strategy — and be explicit about your funding ask. For internal circulation, focus more on vision, milestones, and operational priorities that keep your team aligned and accountable.

There’s no universal rule for length — it depends on your stage, audience, and goals. A lean plan might be just a few pages, while a more detailed version could run 20 or more. When in doubt, keep your core plan focused and on the leaner side, so it’s easy to digest and act on. You can always add supplemental details (such as detailed market research, financial models, or product roadmaps) in an appendix. This way, you maintain clarity and focus for most readers while still giving stakeholders access to deeper context when they want it.

There’s no strict rule, but a business plan is most useful if it’s up to date. Treat it as a living document — revisit it at least yearly, and adjust whenever your strategy, finances, or market conditions change.

Yes, but proceed with care. Hiring someone can save time and add polish, but your business plan is only valuable if it reflects your own thinking. A hybrid approach can often work best. Start by drafting with a template yourself, then bring in an expert to review and provide feedback.

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Disclaimers and footnotes

Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group, Column N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC. Deposit insurance covers the failure of an insured bank.