Can ChatGPT Write a Business Plan? Exploring AI in Business Planning

Writing a business plan is a crucial step for any entrepreneur, but it’s also one of the most time-consuming. With the rise of generative AI, many business owners are turning to tools like ChatGPT to speed up the process.

22% of respondents regularly use ChatGPT for their work planning, and the number is expected to increase, according to McKinsey¹.

In this article, we explore how ChatGPT can assist in crafting business plans and provide guidance on using it effectively for writing a business plan.

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When it comes to business planning, AI can now analyze data, generate content, and even simulate customer personas. One of the most widely used tools in this space is ChatGPT. ChatGPT is a generative AI that helps users streamline and simplify complex tasks, including creating a business plan.

Can ChatGPT Write a Business Plan?

Yes, ChatGPT can be a co-pilot for drafting, organizing, and refining a business plan. But you need to know what elements you would like to include for your own business. It can be useful to provide ChatGPT with example business plans to get the best results.

What ChatGPT Can Help With When Writing a Business Plan?

ChatGPT can assist with multiple elements of your business plan, with users often turning to the platform for:

Structuring your business plan from scratch: ChatGPT can outline your sections and suggest what to include in each one.

Generating copy: If you’re stuck on how to describe your target market, explain your product, or define your unique selling proposition, ChatGPT can provide draft language you can tailor.

Refining tone and clarity: ChatGPT can rephrase clunky or jargon-heavy language and improve flow.

Brainstorming ideas: You can use ChatGPT as a strategic sounding board to explore revenue streams. You can also bounce marketing strategies and pricing models.

Other areas where ChatGPT can be useful when generating a business plan:

• Generating persuasive executive summaries
• Writing up market research and competitor analysis
• Brainstorming revenue models and marketing strategies
• Proofreading or refining their tone of voice

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How Do I Use ChatGPT to Write a Business Plan?

Using ChatGPT to write a business plan is akin to working with a very fast, very enthusiastic, but slightly naive research assistant. While it may not know your industry as well as you do, it can help you structure your thinking and ideas.

Start with a Strong Prompt

The more specific your request, the better the output will be. Instead of saying “write me a business plan,” try something like:

“Act as a startup founder. Write a business plan for an online tutoring platform. It should target college students in the U.S. Include sections like market analysis, pricing strategy, and revenue projections.”

Generate One Section at a Time

Don’t ask for the entire business plan all at once. Break it down into manageable chunks like:

• Executive Summary

• Problem & Solution

• Target Audience

• Competitive Analysis

• Go-to-Market Strategy

• Financial Forecasts

Refine the Output

AI-generated content is a starting point, not a final draft. Once you’ve received the first version, you’ll need to add real data as ChatGPT won’t have your exact financials, customer insights, or growth plans. You’ll also have to adjust the tone, especially if you’re pitching investors.

Use a Template for Structure

To ensure your plan has the right flow and formatting, pair ChatGPT with a proven structure, such as Wise’s free business plan template.

How Accurate is ChatGPT in Writing Business Plans?

At its core, ChatGPT doesn’t “know” your business; it models language based on existing examples. That means if you don’t provide real numbers, current market data, or unique insights about your product, it will fill in the blanks with generic assumptions.

Here’s what it does well:

• Lays out standard business plan sections like executive summaries, competitor analysis, and marketing strategy.

• Offers stylistic polish, ChatGPT copy often reads clearly and professionally.

• Saves time by helping you skip the blank page problem.

When paired with your own expertise, it becomes a powerful tool. It can accelerate and refine your planning process. However, you must review the results and make sure that it is accurate and complete.

Can AI Replace Human Business Planners?

While AI tools like ChatGPT can accelerate the business planning process, they aren’t designed to replace the critical thinking, market insight, or lived experience that human planners bring to the table.

AI can help you draft sections quickly, polish tone and structure, and brainstorm marketing angles or SWOT elements. However, it can’t assess risk, validate your pricing model, or **tailor strategies to unpredictable market shifts.

What Are the Limitations of Using ChatGPT for Business Planning?

Building on this, there are limitations to using ChatGPT for business plans. While it can assist with drafting and structuring, it may not fully understand the context of your business or industry. This can lead to potential oversights or inaccuracies in the plan.

Human planners bring intuition, judgment, and a deeper understanding of context. This is especially valuable when aligning business goals with long-term strategy.

Here’s where human oversight is essential:

• Financial forecasts: ChatGPT can’t access real-time market data or understand your actual margins unless you input them.

• Regulations or industry nuances: AI may overlook sector-specific compliance requirements. It can potentially miss key terminology.

• Strategic insight: AI can suggest strategies, but it can’t tell you whether they’ll work for your niche or audience.

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Sources:

1. The state of AI in 2023: Generative AI’s breakout year | McKinsey
   All sources checked October 2025.