Free SBA Business PlanTemplates & Tools

Build professional business plans online with our interactive tools and industry-specific templates designed for SBA loan approval.

85%
SBA lenders require business plans
50%
Higher approval rate with good plans
25-40
Pages for comprehensive SBA plans
3-5
Years of financial projections needed

Why SBA Lenders Require Business Plans

A professional business plan is essential for SBA loan approval. Here's what lenders look for and why it matters.

Market Understanding

Demonstrates you understand your industry, competition, and target customers

Financial Viability

Shows realistic financial projections and ability to repay the loan

Management Competence

Proves your team has the experience and skills to succeed

Growth Strategy

Outlines how you will use the loan to grow and generate returns

Risk Assessment

Identifies potential risks and how you will mitigate them

Business Structure

Shows proper business formation and compliance with regulations

Essential Business Plan Sections

Every SBA business plan should include these key sections. Our templates guide you through each one.

1

Executive Summary

Required

High-level overview of your business, mission, and financial projections

Write this last but place it first
Keep to 1-2 pages
Include key financial highlights
2

Company Description

Required

Detailed description of your business, industry, and target market

Explain what makes you unique
Include business structure details
Define your competitive advantages
3

Market Analysis

Required

Research on your industry, target market, and competitors

Use credible industry data
Define target customer personas
Analyze top 3-5 competitors
4

Organization & Management

Required

Your business structure, ownership, and management team

Include resumes of key personnel
Show relevant experience
Define roles and responsibilities
5

Products or Services

Required

Detailed description of what you sell and your pricing strategy

Explain your value proposition
Include pricing strategy
Describe development stage
6

Marketing & Sales

Required

How you will attract and retain customers

Define marketing channels
Include sales process
Set customer acquisition costs
7

Financial Projections

Required

3-5 year financial forecasts including income, cash flow, and balance sheet

Be realistic and conservative
Include break-even analysis
Show multiple scenarios
8

Funding Request

Specific funding amount needed and how it will be used

Be specific about loan amount
Detail how funds will be used
Include repayment timeline

Industry-Specific Business Plan Templates

Choose from professionally designed templates tailored to your industry and business type.

Popular

Restaurant & Food Service

Complete template for restaurants, cafes, food trucks, and catering businesses

  • Menu planning worksheets
  • Kitchen equipment lists
  • Food cost calculators
  • Location analysis
Build Your Plan Online
Popular

Retail Store

Template for brick-and-mortar and online retail businesses

  • Inventory management
  • Location analysis
  • POS system planning
  • Seasonal projections
Build Your Plan Online

Service Business

Professional services, consulting, and service-based businesses

  • Service pricing models
  • Client acquisition strategy
  • Scalability planning
  • Professional credentials
Build Your Plan Online

Manufacturing

Manufacturing and production businesses requiring equipment financing

  • Production planning
  • Equipment requirements
  • Supply chain analysis
  • Quality control
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Popular

Technology Startup

Software, app development, and tech-enabled service businesses

  • Product development roadmap
  • User acquisition strategy
  • Technology stack
  • Intellectual property
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Healthcare Practice

Medical practices, dental offices, and healthcare service providers

  • Regulatory compliance
  • Medical equipment planning
  • Insurance considerations
  • Patient acquisition
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Financial Planning Tools

Professional financial templates and calculators to create accurate projections for your SBA loan application.

Cash Flow Projection

Monthly cash flow forecasts for 3 years

Revenue projections
Operating expenses
Loan payments
Break-even analysis
Use Tool Online

Profit & Loss Statement

Professional P&L template with industry benchmarks

Revenue breakdown
Cost of goods sold
Operating expenses
Net income projections
Use Tool Online

Balance Sheet Template

Assets, liabilities, and equity projections

Current assets
Fixed assets
Current liabilities
Long-term debt
Use Tool Online

Financial Ratios Calculator

Key ratios that SBA lenders analyze

Debt-to-equity ratio
Current ratio
Debt service coverage
Return on assets
Use Tool Online

Business Plan Success Tips

Follow these expert tips to create a business plan that impresses SBA lenders and increases your approval chances.

Be Realistic with Projections

Conservative financial projections are more credible than overly optimistic ones

Include Industry Research

Use credible sources like IBISWorld, Census data, and trade associations

Show Multiple Scenarios

Include best case, worst case, and most likely financial scenarios

Highlight Management Experience

Emphasize relevant industry experience and business achievements

Address Potential Risks

Acknowledge risks and explain how you will mitigate them

Professional Presentation

Use consistent formatting, charts, and professional language

Ready to Apply for SBA Financing?

Once your business plan is complete, calculate your SBA loan options and connect with approved lenders.

Business Plan FAQs

How long should my SBA business plan be?

Most SBA business plans are 25-40 pages including financial projections and appendices. The plan should be comprehensive but concise - include all necessary information without unnecessary fluff.

Do I need a business plan for all SBA loans?

Most SBA lenders require business plans for loans over $50,000. Some may require plans for smaller amounts. SBA Express loans under $50,000 may only need a simplified business plan.

Can I write my business plan myself?

Yes! With our templates and tools, you can create a professional business plan yourself. However, consider hiring a consultant for complex businesses or if you're not comfortable with financial projections.

How far ahead should my financial projections go?

SBA lenders typically want 3-5 years of financial projections, including monthly projections for the first year and annual projections for years 2-5.

What if my business is already operating?

For existing businesses, include 2-3 years of historical financial statements plus projections showing how the SBA loan will help grow the business.

Start Your Business Plan Today

Use our interactive tools to build a professional business plan that gets SBA loan approval.