Ulmarud
06

Writing a Business Plan That Holds Up

A structured workshop programme for founders, managers, and analysts who need to produce a business plan that withstands scrutiny — from investors, partners, or their own teams. Practical assignments drive every session.

Workshop participants working through a business plan assignment Live workshop session

What the programme covers

Most business plan courses teach theory and leave participants to figure out application on their own. This programme works differently — each module pairs a conceptual framework with a concrete assignment that produces a real output. By the final session, participants have a complete draft plan, not just notes.

The gap between understanding a concept and being able to apply it under pressure is where most plans fall apart. Every exercise here is designed to close that gap.
6 structured modules, each with a standalone deliverable
32 hours of guided work across the full programme

Programme modules

Each module builds directly on the previous one. Participants complete assignments between sessions and bring their work back for structured peer review — a format that surfaces assumptions and gaps that self-review rarely catches.

MODULE 01

Problem and market definition

Participants articulate the specific problem their business addresses and size the addressable market using primary and secondary data. The assignment produces a one-page market brief.

MODULE 02

Competitive landscape analysis

Structured frameworks for mapping direct and indirect competitors, identifying positioning gaps, and stress-testing differentiation claims against real market evidence.

MODULE 03

Revenue model and pricing logic

Working through how the business generates income — pricing mechanics, customer acquisition economics, and the assumptions that underpin revenue projections.

MODULE 04

Financial projections and assumptions

Building a three-year model from scratch, with emphasis on documenting assumptions explicitly so reviewers can challenge the logic rather than just the numbers.

MODULE 05

Operations and resource planning

Translating strategy into operational requirements — team structure, key hires, infrastructure needs, and the milestones that signal the plan is on track.

MODULE 06

Presentation and critical review

Participants present their complete draft plan to the group and receive structured feedback. The session focuses on clarity, internal consistency, and how the plan reads to an outside audience.

Participants reviewing business plan documents during a collaborative session Online · Global

How sessions are delivered

The programme runs entirely online, with cohorts drawn from different countries and industries. Sessions are scheduled across time zones, and all materials remain accessible after each session. Since Ulmarud began running these workshops in 2017, the format has been refined based on what actually helps participants finish with a usable document.

Live online sessions Weekly 90-minute sessions with a facilitator. Attendance is expected but recordings are available within 24 hours.
Peer review groups Small groups of 4–5 participants exchange drafts and give written feedback between sessions using a structured rubric.
Assignment templates Each module includes a template that constrains scope and keeps work focused. Templates are guides, not forms to fill in.
Facilitator office hours Two optional 30-minute slots per week for questions about specific plan sections or assignment feedback.
Ask about the next cohort