Required Investments
Here you list the one-time expenses needed for the business to start operating — what needs to be paid before or at launch, not the recurring cost of operating afterward.
In this section, you should detail all the initial expenses required to start your business, ensuring it's ready to operate successfully. These investments are called pre-operational because they occur before the business begins to generate revenue.
What it's for
Before knowing if a business can sustain itself operationally, you need to know how much it costs to get it off the ground: setting up a website, buying equipment, developing a visual identity, forming initial inventory. This total is the starting point for Investment Analysis — it's the amount that needs to "pay for itself" over time.
How to use
Use the green + button to manually register an investment: description, category, payment method, and value. The main list shows all registered investments with their category and payment terms.
Val's Suggestions
Based on the rest of the plan, Val suggests plausible investments for your type of business (e.g., e-commerce setup, system development, visual identity). It follows the same pattern used in other exercises in this stage — see the article Val's Suggestions.
Tips
- Carefully separate investments from recurring expenses: buying a computer is an investment; a monthly software subscription is an expense. Mixing the two distorts both the total investment and the Cash Flow.
- This exercise does not have its own month-by-month projection table — the total value registered here is what enters as "Initial Investment" in the Investment Analysis and Cash Flow for the launch period.
- Review this list after Products and Suppliers and Infrastructure and Requirements (Operational Plan) — that's usually where items that need to be purchased or contracted before opening appear.
Why is it important to plan necessary investments?
Detailed planning of initial investments is crucial to avoid financial surprises and ensure you have the necessary resources to cover all expenses involved in the setup phase of your business. This includes, for example:
Purchase of Equipment and Important Assets: Make sure to list all essential items you'll need to acquire for your business to function. This may include machinery, computers, vehicles, among others.
Office Decoration and Setup: From furniture and decor to infrastructure works, all costs related to your business's physical space must be considered.
Permits, Licenses, and Fees: Remember to include all expenses for legal documentation, such as permits, licenses, and government fees, necessary for the regularization of your business.
Tips for effective planning
Be Realistic: List all costs in detail, without underestimating expenses. It's better to have a safety margin than to encounter unforeseen events.
Research and Quote: Before defining values, research prices from suppliers, materials, and services to obtain accurate estimates.
Plan Capital: Ensure you have, or can obtain, sufficient financial resources to support these investments. Good financial planning increases your business's chances of success.
Update as needed: As new expenses arise, or if estimated values change, keep this section updated to always have a clear view of what is necessary.
With this tool, you'll be better prepared to start your business with the certainty that all financial aspects are properly planned. A good start is the foundation for long-term success.
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