The best examples of industry analysis examples for business plans

Examples of industry analysis for SaaS and tech startups

Most founders in software and tech overcomplicate this section. The best examples of industry analysis for business plans in SaaS do three things:

• Size the market with credible third‑party data.
• Show where value is shifting (cloud, AI, automation, security).
• Map where the startup sits in that shift.

Example: B2B workflow automation SaaS
A strong industry analysis for a mid‑market workflow tool might read something like this (condensed):

The global business process automation market was valued at roughly $13–15 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a double‑digit CAGR through 2030, driven by labor shortages and pressure to raise productivity. U.S. firms alone spend hundreds of billions annually on administrative labor that is partially automatable.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, professional and business services remain one of the largest and fastest‑changing employment categories in the U.S., with continued demand for tools that reduce manual work and support hybrid teams (BLS.gov).

The competitive landscape is fragmented: large platforms (Microsoft, Salesforce) offer broad workflow tools, while dozens of niche SaaS vendors focus on specific verticals. Adoption is highest in enterprise, but mid‑market firms (100–1,000 employees) remain underserved, particularly in regulated industries where off‑the‑shelf tools lack auditability.

Notice how that example of an industry analysis does not try to impress with buzzwords. It uses:

• A clear market size range instead of pretending to know the exact dollar amount.
• A reference to an authoritative data source (BLS) rather than a random blog.
• A specific segment focus (mid‑market, regulated industries) to set up the startup’s positioning.

If you’re looking for examples of industry analysis examples for business plans in tech, use this structure:

• Global and U.S. market size and growth.
• Key structural drivers (AI adoption, remote work, cybersecurity risk, regulation).
• Competitive map: platforms vs. point solutions, legacy vs. cloud‑native.
• Where you fit, and why now.

Retail and e‑commerce: examples of industry analysis that investors trust

Retail and e‑commerce founders often drown readers in consumer stats. The best examples focus on behavioral shifts and channel mix, not just “the market is big.”

Example: Niche DTC apparel brand
Here’s how a lean but effective industry section might sound:

U.S. retail e‑commerce sales exceeded $1 trillion in 2022 and continue to grow faster than total retail sales, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Quarterly Retail E‑Commerce Sales report (Census.gov).

Within apparel, online penetration is significantly higher than in many other retail categories, yet customer acquisition costs have risen sharply as advertising platforms mature. This has shifted the advantage toward brands with strong organic communities, retention, and repeat purchase behavior.

The competitive landscape in women’s athleisure is dominated by global brands, but there is rapid growth among smaller, values‑driven labels focused on sustainability and inclusive sizing. Our brand targets women ages 25–40 in urban and suburban markets who prioritize durability and ethical production over fast‑fashion price points.

This example of an industry analysis works because it:

• Anchors the story in official U.S. data.
• Admits the downside (rising acquisition costs) instead of pretending everything is easy.
• Narrows to a specific sub‑category (women’s athleisure, values‑driven, 25–40) so the opportunity feels real, not theoretical.

When you study examples of industry analysis examples for business plans in retail, pay attention to how they balance macro data (e‑commerce penetration, spending trends) with micro reality (CAC, returns, logistics challenges).

Food & beverage: real examples that go beyond “people like coffee”

Food and beverage plans often repeat the same tired line: “People will always eat.” True, but investors want to see where spending is shifting and how regulation and health trends affect the industry.

Example: Specialty coffee shop with local roasting
A sharper industry analysis might say:

The U.S. coffee shop market continues to grow, but the fastest‑growing segment is specialty coffee with a focus on origin, roasting quality, and in‑store experience. According to recent industry surveys, younger consumers are willing to pay a premium for traceable, ethically sourced beans and third‑wave brewing methods.

Large chains dominate high‑traffic commuter locations, but independent shops have gained share in neighborhoods where customers value ambiance, community, and barista expertise over drive‑through convenience. Post‑pandemic, remote and hybrid work patterns have increased daytime demand for “third spaces” that serve as informal offices.

Within our city, there are three specialty shops within a 2‑mile radius, but none roast on‑site or offer coffee education events. This gap, combined with rising interest in local producers and transparent sourcing, positions us to capture a meaningful share of high‑margin specialty sales.

For a packaged food brand, the best examples of industry analysis will reference:

• Shifts toward clean labels, plant‑based products, or high‑protein options.
• Regulatory factors (labeling rules, health claims, allergen disclosure) using sources like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA.gov).
• Retail buyer behavior: preference for proven velocity, category growth, and differentiated positioning.

Healthcare and health‑tech: examples of industry analysis with real data

Healthcare is heavily regulated and data‑rich, which means lazy claims stand out immediately. Strong examples of industry analysis for health‑tech business plans lean on reputable sources and show they understand both clinical and commercial realities.

Example: Telehealth mental health platform

Demand for mental health services in the U.S. has outpaced provider capacity, with a significant share of adults reporting symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder in recent national surveys (CDC.gov).

The pandemic accelerated adoption of telehealth, and while some emergency flexibilities have expired, both commercial payers and many state Medicaid programs continue to reimburse for virtual behavioral health visits. This has normalized remote care for therapy and medication management.

The competitive landscape includes national telehealth platforms, regional provider groups, and solo practitioners using generic video tools. However, there are persistent access gaps for Medicaid and low‑income populations, as well as for specific groups such as adolescents and rural residents.

Our platform focuses on licensed clinicians providing evidence‑based care to adults in underserved states, with payer contracts that support sustainable reimbursement. Technology is an enabler, but our differentiation is network quality, measurement‑based care, and outcomes tracking.

This example of an industry analysis works because it:

• Uses a trusted public health source (CDC), not a marketing report.
• Acknowledges policy changes and reimbursement, which are make‑or‑break in healthcare.
• Defines a clear underserved segment instead of “everyone who needs therapy.”

If you’re building a medical device or digital therapeutic, the best examples of industry analysis will also discuss:

• Regulatory pathways (FDA class, clearance vs. approval).
• Clinical evidence requirements and payer coverage criteria.
• Demographic trends, such as an aging population and chronic disease prevalence, using sources like the National Institutes of Health (NIH.gov).

Local services: examples of industry analysis for small, location‑based businesses

Not every business plan is chasing a global market. For gyms, salons, cleaning companies, or local childcare centers, the best examples of industry analysis are hyper‑local and data‑driven, not hand‑wavy.

Example: Boutique fitness studio in a mid‑sized U.S. city

The U.S. fitness industry has recovered from pandemic‑era shutdowns, with strong growth in boutique and class‑based concepts. While large chains compete on price and scale, smaller studios differentiate on community, coaching quality, and specialized formats.

Within a 3‑mile radius of our proposed location, there are two big‑box gyms, one yoga studio, and one CrossFit box, but no studio offering low‑impact strength and mobility training targeted at adults over 40. Census data shows that this age group represents more than 30% of the local population, with above‑average household income.

Industry research indicates that older adults are increasingly active but seek formats that reduce injury risk and provide coaching on longevity and functional movement. This aligns with broader public health guidance encouraging strength training at least twice per week for adults (CDC physical activity guidelines).

Here, the example of industry analysis is powerful because it:

• Anchors on a radius, not the entire state or country.
• Uses demographic data to justify the concept.
• Shows clear differentiation from nearby competitors.

When you review examples of industry analysis examples for business plans for local services, look for:

• Defined geographic boundaries (radius, ZIP codes, or neighborhoods).
• Census or city data on population, income, age, and growth.
• A realistic view of direct competitors and substitutes.

How to adapt these examples of industry analysis to your own business plan

You don’t need to copy any one example of an industry analysis word‑for‑word. Instead, treat these as patterns you can adapt. Across all the real examples above, there are consistent moves:

Use credible data, not guesses
Investors can smell made‑up numbers. Pull from:

• Government sources for macro trends (BLS, Census, CDC, FDA, NIH).
• Industry associations and reputable research firms for sector‑specific data.
• Local economic development agencies or chambers of commerce for city‑level stats.

Then, tie that data to your own assumptions instead of dumping it in a paragraph with no commentary.

Define your actual segment
“The global market is $200 billion” is meaningless if you’re serving one city or one niche. The best examples of industry analysis for business plans show:

• The giant category (to prove this is a real industry).
• The slice you can realistically serve in the next 3–5 years.
• The filters that define that slice: geography, company size, age group, income level, medical condition, or behavior.

Acknowledge headwinds
Real examples of industry analysis don’t pretend everything is rosy. They mention:

• Rising customer acquisition costs.
• Regulatory hurdles or licensing requirements.
• Supply chain constraints or key input volatility.

Then they explain how the business model is designed to survive in that environment.

Tell a story about change, not just size
A static market is boring. The best examples of industry analysis examples for business plans frame the industry as in motion:

• Technology adoption (AI, cloud, mobile, telehealth).
• Demographic shifts (aging, urbanization, migration).
• Cultural shifts (health consciousness, sustainability, remote work).

Your opportunity usually sits where those shifts intersect with a gap in how incumbents operate.

FAQ: common questions about examples of industry analysis for business plans

How long should the industry analysis section be in a business plan?
Long enough to show you understand the market, short enough that a busy investor actually reads it. For most early‑stage plans, 1–3 pages is typical. The best examples use charts and tight paragraphs instead of long, wandering essays.

Where can I find reliable data for my industry analysis?
Start with government and academic sources, then layer in industry reports. In the U.S., founders often use:

• U.S. Census Bureau for population, income, and retail data.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics for employment and wage trends.
• CDC, NIH, and FDA for health‑related markets.

Many universities publish open research on consumer and technology trends; you can search through sites like Harvard University or other .edu domains for studies relevant to your sector.

Can I use an example of industry analysis from another business and just change the numbers?
You can use real examples for structure and inspiration, but copying them is a mistake. Your industry, geography, target segment, and timing are different. Investors know what recycled content looks like. Use the examples of industry analysis examples for business plans as a checklist: market size, drivers, competition, regulation, and your position.

What are the best examples of industry analysis for very small, local businesses?
The strongest examples for local businesses lean heavily on city‑level or neighborhood data, direct observation, and competitor mapping. A well‑researched two‑page analysis of one ZIP code can be far more persuasive than a generic summary of the “U.S. restaurant industry.”

Do I need charts and graphs in the industry analysis section?
They help, especially for showing growth over time, market segmentation, or your share of a local market. But the writing still matters. Investors care more about your logic than your graphic design skills. The real examples that stand out pair simple visuals with sharp, honest commentary.

If you treat these examples of industry analysis examples for business plans as templates for thinking—not as text to copy—you’ll end up with a sharper, more credible business plan that actually reflects the market you’re walking into.