Everything investors will ask for, organized before they ask — take the quick self-assessment below, then read the full guide.
Answer honestly for each item — you'll see where things stand at the end.
What it needs: A current, complete version — not an outdated draft.
Common gap: Sharing an early draft that doesn't match what's being pitched now.
What it needs: Historical financials (if applicable) plus forward projections, consistent with what's in the pitch/plan.
Common gap: Numbers in the financials that don't match the numbers quoted in the pitch.
What it needs: Articles of incorporation, bylaws, and any relevant registrations, organized and current.
Common gap: Documents scattered across old emails instead of organized in one place.
What it needs: A clear, current capitalization table showing ownership and any prior investment.
Common gap: An outdated cap table that doesn't reflect recent changes.
What it needs: The actual sources behind market-size and competitive claims made in the pitch/plan.
Common gap: Market claims with no data trail to back them up when asked.
What it needs: Concise, relevant bios for each key team member, focused on execution ability.
Common gap: Generic LinkedIn-style bios that don't connect to the specific business.
What it needs: Any signed agreements, LOIs, or pilot contracts that support traction claims.
Common gap: Verbal commitments mentioned in the pitch with nothing in writing to back them up.
Being ready with organized documentation doesn't just speed up due diligence — it signals seriousness.
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