Group 1
The story
Read first, and by some readers, read only. Four checks.
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Business plan checklist: 25 things lenders and judges actually check
Run this on a finished draft before anyone else reads it. Each item says why a reviewer checks it and the concrete condition that passes, so a tick means something. Grouped in the order a Canadian lender, grant panel or competition judge reads.
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Tick an item only when your draft meets the pass test written under it.
Group 2
Customer and market
Where guesses get caught. Four checks.
Group 3
The money
Read first by every lender and most panels. Six checks.
Group 4
Operations and team
Whether it can actually be delivered in Ontario. Four checks.
Group 5
The ask
Three checks that are almost always the same mistake.
Group 6
Presentation
Where good plans lose points for free. Four checks.
What each reviewer weighs
Same checklist, different emphasis. The right-hand column is what ends the conversation.
| Reviewer | Weighs most | Deal-breaker |
|---|---|---|
| Bank or credit union (incl. CSBFP loans) | Cash flow covering repayment, owner contribution, quotes, credit history | No monthly cash flow, or repayment not visible in it |
| Futurpreneur (ages 18–39) | Their template completed, evidence of customer conversations, founder story | Market size and revenue with no source |
| Starter Company Plus panel | Plan built in their training, a clear pitch, proof of 25% contribution | Use of funds outside program rules, or no contribution |
| Launch League judges (100-point rubric) | Problem 20, solution 20, customer and market 15, feasibility 15, business model 15, impact 10, communication 5 | A solution with no stated problem, or a customer described as "everyone" |
Starting from a blank page instead? The nine-section template explains what goes under each heading, with fill-in prompts.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
Checked 5 September 2026. How we research and correct guides is described in our editorial standards.
Your next step
A checklist is the skeleton. Judges read the muscle.
You now know what a plan needs to contain. The competition is where you find out whether yours convinces anyone: every entrant is scored on a published 100-point rubric and receives written feedback, winner or not.
Want the full plan written for you? The Elite Business Plan Maker drafts all nine sections for your industry, $79 once.
Keep going
- Business plan template: nine sections, with fill-in promptsWhat goes under each heading, who reads it, how long it should be, and a copyable outline.
- Small business grants in Ontario: what's real in 2026Six non-repayable programs, the tax credits that pay cash, seven startup loans, and the closed programs still ranking in search.
- Free one-page business plan builderDraft the plan your entry needs in one page, at no cost.
- Starting a business in Ontario: 17-step checklistEvery step with where to do it, what it costs and how long it takes; printable, saves your progress.