Example: Business plan
Made for Sierra Lift, a sample company. Sierra Lift is not a real company.
Eleven sections written for drone and robotics companies, with the questions a lender, an investor or a state program will ask. Word and PDF.
Sierra Lift Aerospace
Business Plan
Business plan for First Valley Bank
SL
Sierra Lift Aerospace
Heavy-lift multirotor airframes for utility and wildfire crews.
$420K
New loans in the projections, U.S. dollars
$1.9M
Revenue last year, U.S. dollars
12 → 26
Units a month, today and planned
Month 14
Break-even, December 2027
September 2026
Prepared by Maria Chen
Confidential
- 1.Executive summary
- 2.Funding request
- 3.The company
- 4.Products and technology
- 5.Market and customers
- 6.Competition
- 7.Sales
- 8.Operations and production
- 9.Management and team
- 10.Risks and how you handle them
- 11.Financial plan
$420K
New loans in the projections, U.S. dollars
$1.9M
Revenue last year, U.S. dollars
12 → 26
Units a month, today and planned
Month 14
Break-even, December 2027
Sierra Lift Aerospace builds carbon-fiber multirotor airframes for 25 to 60 lb payloads in Rancho Cordova, California, and sells them to utilities, public safety agencies and integrators. Revenue was $1.86 million last year. We ask the bank for an equipment loan of $420,000 over seven years for a second layup line and a curing oven, which take our capacity from 12 to 26 frames a month.
The loan pays for the second layup line, the curing oven and the test bench upgrade, secured by the new equipment.
| Source | When | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Loan at 8.25% over 7 years | Month 2 (December 2026) | $420,000 |
| Grant or award, not repaid | Month 18 (April 2028) | $50,000 |
| Total | $470,000 |
Second layup line
$240,000
51%
Curing oven
$135,000
29%
Structural test bench upgrade
$18,000
4%
Working capital
$77,000
16%
Cash needed to keep cash above zero over the three years: $60,492. All amounts in U.S. dollars.
| Lender | Balance | Rate | Monthly payment | Months left |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Valley Bank | $85,000 | 7.5% | $2,100 | 44 |
| Item | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Second layup line (to be bought) | $240,000 |
| Curing oven (to be bought) | $135,000 |
| Total | $375,000 |
Sierra Lift Aerospace LLC was formed in California in 2021 and builds carbon-fiber multirotor airframes in Rancho Cordova. Fourteen people design, lay up, assemble and test every frame in one leased building.
Legal name: Sierra Lift Aerospace · Founded: 2021 · Location: Rancho Cordova, CA · Form of the company: LLC · Formed in: California, March 2021
Alex Rivera
60.00%
Sam Okafor
25.00%
Foothill Angels Fund
15.00%
| Owner | Share | Role | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Rivera | 60.00% | Managing member | United States |
| Sam Okafor | 25.00% | Member | United States |
| Foothill Angels Fund | 15.00% | Investor | United States |
Two airframes and the service around them. The SL-60 carries 25 to 60 lb payloads on eight arms; the SL-25 carries up to 25 lb and folds to fit a truck toolbox. Both share one arm joint that swaps in the field without tools, and a sealed electronics bay. Integrators order custom frames built to their payload and flight controller.
■
NDAA compliant
■
SAM.gov registered
■
Built in: United States
■
FCC equipment authorization
■
California Small Business (SB)
■
FAA Part 107 operations
Declared by the company.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| SL-60 payload | 25 to 60 lb |
| SL-25 payload | Up to 25 lb |
| Electronics bay | Sealed, IP54 |
Compliance steps marked done (declared by the company): FAA Part 107 / 137.
Utilities, public safety agencies and integrators who fly heavy inspection and mapping payloads and want frames built in the U.S. Utilities buy for line inspection and fire season; public safety agencies buy through state and county programs; integrators buy custom frames for their own systems.
Segments: Public safety, Energy and utilities, Inspection, Mapping and survey · Target customers: Rural electric cooperatives in California and Nevada; County fire and emergency services; Drone integrators building heavy-lift systems
| What is measured | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy-lift frames bought a year in our segments | About 2,400 frames | Sierra Lift's own estimate (sample) |
| What those frames sell for a year | $34 million | Sierra Lift's own estimate (sample) |
| Utilities and agencies we reach first, California and Nevada | About 140 buyers | Sierra Lift's own count (sample) |
Buyers compare us with imported frames, which cost less and wait on shipping and supply-chain questions, and with the in-house frames some integrators build. We compete on payload, field repairs and a documented U.S. bill of materials.
| Competitor | Where they build | How we compare |
|---|---|---|
| Imported heavy-lift frames | Outside the U.S. | Lower prices; longer lead times, and buyers ask for the origin of each part. |
| Integrators' own frames | U.S. | Built for one system; we build for many payloads and repair in the field. |
Our Director of Sales sells directly to utilities and county agencies, and integrators order custom frames for their own systems. Pilots lead to orders: the cooperative's six-frame pilot led to a letter of intent for 20 more.
Channels: Direct to government, Integrators · A typical sale takes: Three to nine months from the first call to an order.
The SL-60 lists from $18,500 and the SL-25 from $9,800; custom frames are quoted in two weeks.
Steps marked done (declared by the company): SAM.gov registered; CAGE code; NAICS codes chosen; Capability statement.
Every structural part is cut, laid up and cured in Rancho Cordova. Today's single layup line is booked through the spring; the second line and the oven halve the time a frame takes, so custom frames stop waiting behind standard ones.
Today
12 units a month
Planned
26 units a month
Built in: United States
| Supplier | Country |
|---|---|
| Carbon fiber prepreg supplier | United States |
| Motor and ESC supplier | United States |
Every frame is load-tested on our bench before it ships, and each test is recorded with the frame's serial number.
Fourteen people today: the three below lead the company, with ten technicians in composites, assembly and test, and an operations manager.
AR
Alex Rivera
Chief Executive Officer
14 years of experience
Led airframe programs at two composite shops before founding Sierra Lift. Runs customer programs from quote to delivery. B.S. Aerospace Engineering
MC
Maria Chen
Director of Sales
9 years of experience
Sells to utilities, public safety agencies and integrators, and manages every quote and delivery schedule. B.A. Economics
SO
Sam Okafor
Lead Composites Engineer
11 years of experience
Designs the layup schedules and test plans for every frame, and runs the structural test bench. M.S. Mechanical Engineering
| Role | Today | End of year 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Composites technician | 6 | 10 |
| Assembly and test technician | 4 | 8 |
| Risk | How we handle it |
|---|---|
| A cash gap while the second line ramps up | The loan's first six months are interest only and our customers pay in 30 days; the projection shows how large the gap is and when it closes. |
| A single-source part | The prepreg we lay up comes from one supplier; we keep two months of stock and are qualifying a second U.S. supplier. |
The projections below start in November 2026. Cash runs short while the second line ramps up and the loan's interest-only months end; the award in month 18 and our customers' 30-day terms close the gap.
From the projections scenario “Base case”, November 2026 to October 2029. All amounts in U.S. dollars.
Revenue and net profit by year
Cash at month end and revenue a month
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Revenue
$2,395,200
$3,395,910
$4,485,167
Net profit
-$16,770
$260,952
$875,629
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Cash at year end
-$39,724
$132,677
$829,829
Revenue in the year
$2,395,200
$3,395,910
$4,485,167
| Key number | Value |
|---|---|
| Break-even month | Month 14 (December 2027), the first month with revenue whose profit before tax is zero or better and stays so |
| Lowest cash | -$60,492 in month 15 (January 2028) |
| Cash needed to stay above zero | $60,492 |
| Cash at the end | $829,829 |
| Months of cash left at the end | Cash is not falling at the end |
| Income statement | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $2,395,200 | $3,395,910 | $4,485,167 |
| Cost of goods | $1,557,000 | $2,261,160 | $2,731,536 |
| Gross profit | $838,200 | $1,134,750 | $1,753,631 |
| Gross margin | 34.99% | 33.42% | 39.1% |
| Operating costs | $787,200 | $797,160 | $807,481 |
| EBITDA | $51,000 | $337,590 | $946,150 |
| Depreciation | $33,350 | $41,100 | $41,100 |
| Interest | $34,420 | $35,538 | $29,421 |
| Taxes | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net profit | -$16,770 | $260,952 | $875,629 |
| Cash flow | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net profit | -$16,770 | $260,952 | $875,629 |
| Depreciation added back | $33,350 | $41,100 | $41,100 |
| Change in money customers owe | -$233,300 | -$77,451 | -$101,515 |
| Change in stock | -$168,000 | -$57,680 | -$77,168 |
| Change in money owed to suppliers | $84,000 | $28,840 | $38,584 |
| Equipment bought | -$393,000 | $0 | $0 |
| New loans | $420,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Loan principal repaid | -$36,005 | -$73,360 | -$79,477 |
| Equity and grants | $0 | $50,000 | $0 |
| Net cash flow | -$309,724 | $172,401 | $697,153 |
| Cash at year end | -$39,724 | $132,677 | $829,829 |
| Balance at year end | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | -$39,724 | $132,677 | $829,829 |
| Money customers owe | $233,300 | $310,751 | $412,266 |
| Stock | $168,000 | $225,680 | $302,848 |
| Equipment after depreciation | $359,650 | $318,550 | $277,450 |
| Total assets | $721,226 | $987,658 | $1,822,393 |
| Money owed to suppliers | $84,000 | $112,840 | $151,424 |
| Loans | $468,996 | $395,636 | $316,159 |
| Owners' equity | $168,230 | $479,182 | $1,354,811 |
| Total liabilities and equity | $721,226 | $987,658 | $1,822,393 |
| Key numbers by year | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loan payments, principal and interest | $70,424 | $108,898 | $108,898 |
| Debt service coverage | 0.72 | 3.10 | 8.69 |
| People at year end | 18 | 22 | 22 |
| Revenue per person | $133,067 | $154,360 | $203,871 |
EBITDA: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Debt service coverage: EBITDA divided by the year's loan payments, principal and interest.
| Assumptions |
|---|
| Starts November 2026 and runs 36 months, to October 2029. All amounts in U.S. dollars. |
| The months between those entered for units or revenue follow a straight line, in whole units. Equipment is depreciated on a straight line from the month it is bought. |
| Cash on hand at the start: $270,000. Revenue in the last full year: $1,860,000. |
| First Valley Bank: $85,000 owed at 7.5% a year, $2,100 a month, 44 months left. |
| SL-60 Heavy-Lift Airframe: $18,500 a unit with $7,000 of materials. Units rise from 7 a month in month 1 to 14 a month in month 36. Price changes 3% a year; materials 4% a year. |
| SL-25 Inspection Airframe: $9,800 a unit with $3,500 of materials. Units rise from 5 a month in month 1 to 12 a month in month 36. Price changes 3% a year; materials 4% a year. |
| Field repairs and crew training: Revenue rises from $6,000 a month in month 1 to $12,000 a month in month 36. Price changes 3% a year. |
| Customers pay in 30 days; suppliers are paid in 30 days; 2 months of materials kept in stock. |
| Chief Executive Officer: 1 at the start; $130,000 a year each plus 20% payroll taxes and benefits; an operating cost. |
| Director of Sales: 1 at the start; $100,000 a year each plus 20% payroll taxes and benefits; an operating cost. |
| Lead Composites Engineer: 1 at the start; $115,000 a year each plus 20% payroll taxes and benefits; an operating cost. |
| Composites technician: 6 at the start, 2 more in month 7 and 2 more in month 13; $52,000 a year each plus 20% payroll taxes and benefits; builds the product. |
| Assembly and test technician: 4 at the start, 2 more in month 10 and 2 more in month 19; $48,000 a year each plus 20% payroll taxes and benefits; builds the product. |
| Operations and office manager: 1 at the start; $54,000 a year each plus 20% payroll taxes and benefits; an operating cost. |
| Running costs a month at the start: rent $9,500 (3% a year); utilities $2,200 (3% a year); insurance $3,800 (5% a year); software $1,400 (5% a year); travel $2,500 (3% a year); marketing $1,800 (3% a year); professional fees $2,000 (3% a year); testing and certification $1,500; other $1,000 (3% a year). |
| Second layup line: $240,000 in month 3, depreciated over 10 years. |
| Curing oven: $135,000 in month 3, depreciated over 10 years. |
| Structural test bench upgrade: $18,000 in month 6, depreciated over 5 years. |
| New loan of $420,000 in month 2 at 8.25% a year over 7 years, interest only for the first 6 months, then equal monthly payments. |
| Grants and awards, not repaid, counted as equity: $50,000 in month 18. |
| LLC. No tax at the company level. Owners pay tax on the profit on their own returns. |
SL
CAPABILITY STATEMENT
Sierra Lift Aerospace
Heavy-lift multirotor airframes for utility and wildfire crews.
25 to 60 lb
Payload, SL-60 Heavy-Lift Airframe
Up to 25 lb
Payload, SL-25 Inspection Airframe
2021
Founded
14
People
Company overview
Sierra Lift designs and assembles carbon-fiber multirotor airframes rated for 25 to 60 lb payloads. The frames are built for line inspection, fire mapping and rural delivery, with field-swappable arms and a sealed electronics bay.
Core competencies
•
Carbon-fiber airframe design and layup for 25 to 60 lb payloads
•
Field-swappable arms and sealed electronics bays
•
Custom frames built to an integrator's payload and flight controller
•
Structural testing and short production runs in-house
Differentiators
•
NDAA-compliant flight controller and radios, bill of materials documented
•
Every structural part cut and laid up in Rancho Cordova, California
•
Custom frame quotes in two weeks
Past performance
Sierra Foothills Utility Cooperative
Pilot · 2025 · $180K
Six heavy-lift airframes for a line inspection pilot across 40 miles of rural distribution lines.
A state or local agency
Subcontract · 2024
Fire-mapping airframes with sealed electronics bays, delivered to the prime's integration team.
A federal agency
SBIR/STTR · 2023 · $75K
A Phase I study of a quick-change arm joint for heavy-lift multirotors.
Company data
UEI
SAMPLEUEI000
CAGE
SMPIO
Primary NAICS
336411
Other NAICS
336413, 541715
PSC
1550, 1680
Location
Rancho Cordova, CA
Certifications and compliance
■
NDAA compliant
■
SAM.gov registered
■
Built in: United States
■
FCC equipment authorization
■
California Small Business (SB)
■
FAA Part 107 operations
Declared by the company.
Point of contact
Maria Chen
Director of Sales
Scan for our company page
sierralift.example
What you get
Word (.docx) and PDF, on Letter or A4, with a cover made from your page's photo, the contents and page numbers, charts from your projections, and your capability statement as the last page when you tick it.
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