Consider filling out the template: Journalism Innovation Template (cut and paste into your own Google or Word doc) to collect research.
Use directories to discover what already exists in a market area (there are some online portals to newspapers but they're chock full of ads and often incomplete). This should help you answer why your business is needed; is there a space for this business; and what are current journalistic offerings.
The library has indexes to progressive, environmental, sports, gender and ethnic presses you can explore:
The EBSCO Alternative Press Index is by The Alternative Press Center, an organization that promotes alternative presses that was founded in 1969. You can access an Online Directory from their website.
Consider what companies already exist.
Sample search: Philadelphia Inquirer
Sample search: company("medianews group")
Website: MediaNews Group brands
Search these sources for similar products
Sample search: hlead(app and news and sports)
Search PR Newswire and Businesswire for press releases from companies.
Sample PR Newswire search: "news app" and boston
For Business Source Premier and ABI/Inform try searching by NAICS code plus keywords such as "new product" or innovation.
In EBSCO, you can combine Business Source Premier with Communication Source, search Newspapers as a Subject and a keyword in TX all text.
Sample search BSP: IC 511110 AND TX ( "application software")
Sample search BSP + CS: SU newspapers AND TX "new product" or innovation
Statista and Pew can offer data and analysis.
Sample Statista search: "news apps"
Search by industry for similar companies (other papers in your niche market, region, or size). Some of this research is reflected in the work you needed to do to formulate your Company Description, above.
NAICS search for Newspaper
Sample search in BSP + CS:
SU newspapers AND TX ( competition or "market share" or "market segmentation" ) AND "united states"
Create a SWOT analysis & list your SMART goals. Consider who your target audience is.
Model Plans:
These are guides on conducting internal and external audits by the Business Librarian, Jim Bondra.
Sample search in Business Source Premier + Communication Source:
Search for articles on this topic in the one of the following databases:
Sample search in Business Source Premier + Communication Source
SU newspapers AND SU ( operations or organization or management )
Use the Small Business Administration's website, below, and my Library Guide page for News Labs (many are foundation based and offer grants) to start
Articles on Accounting and Cash Flow
Articles on Financing and Capital
Financial Projections Template (Excel)