Obtaining external financing may turn out to be a crucial step in the life of a business. Starting from the very first round of institutional investment to a subsequent fundraising event, investors will surely want to understand how financially sound the business is, what its legal structure is like, whether it complies with all relevant laws, and what growth potential it has. Inadequate preparation may result in problems related to the due diligence process. Pre-fundraising analysis is a systematic process that allows companies to identify weaknesses and build investor confidence. Working with a venture capital advisory company in India can also help entrepreneurs prepare for their fundraising events.
Use Financial Housekeeping to start.
Companies should make sure that their financial history reflects the business before seeking investors. Investors will usually look at past performance, financial condition, cash flow and projections.
Businesses should review:
- Make revenue and expense records.
- Produce balance sheets and profit-and-loss statements.
- Cash-flow statements
- Outstanding loans and liabilities
- Accounts receivable and payable
- Tax filing and payments were reviewed.
- Financial forecasts and assumptions are given due consideration.
Bottom Line: With the proper approach to it, maintaining accurate financial records will assist investors to conduct their due diligence process.
See a Clear Picture of the Corporate Structure
It is important for investors to know the owner and the structure of the company. Founders should review documents like articles of incorporation, shareholders agreement, shares owned by them, etc.
Any inconsistencies that may arise in the ownership documents should be sorted before carrying out the fundraising campaign, particularly in cases where there are multiple founders, previous investors, employee stocks, etc.
Reviewing regulatory and statutory conditions
Failure to comply can be a major issue in the process of an investor due diligence. Companies should make sure that any required filings, registrations, licences and statutory requirements are current.
Depending on the type and organization of the business, areas that may be presented for review are:
- Corporate and statutory filings
- Income-tax and GST compliance
- Employment-related requirements
- Intellectual property registrations
- A variety of industry-specific licences and approvals are required.
- Foreign investment/foreign requirements if any
These problems can be avoided if attention is paid to them in time for the fundraising.
In this step, review Contracts and Commitments
Investors can also look at the company’s agreements. Material agreements with customers, suppliers, employees, technology providers and business partners should be negotiated and analysed.
The following promises help one understand the risks that a founder may be exposed to before starting negotiations:
- Commitments for the long term
- Termination clauses
- Change-of-control provisions
- Exclusivity agreements
- Discussions that are outstanding
- Financial promises
Develop a strong investor Data Room
An organized data room enables investors and their advisors to access vital data in an efficient manner. Due-diligence teams can look at documents in a structured manner, rather than going through a lot of emails and files.
A standard data room will comprise:
- Corporate and legal documents.
- financial statements and projections.
- Tax and compliance records
- Keep cap table and ownership up to date.
- Major contracts
- Intellectual property documents
- Employee management data and details.
- Business and operational data
Venture capital advisory company in India can assist the founders in figuring out what facts and data need to be ready and what aspects might need special consideration.
Know the Red Flags before Investors Know Them!
Preparing for fundraising is an opportunity for an internal health check as well. Businesses need to proactively look for pending litigation or financial issues, compliance issues, unclear ownership, customer concentration, or financial projections that are unrealistic.
Addressing problems prior to investor communications will help increase investor preparedness and minimize surprises during investor due diligence.
Fundraising Readiness Checklist
Before approaching investors, businesses should ask:
- Do financial records accurately and timely reflect transactions?
- Does ownership structure have a clear documentation?
- Are statutory and regulatory filings up to date?
- Have important contracts been reviewed?
- Is the investor data room organised?
- Are there any indicators of potential issues that have been noted and discussed?
- Do financial statements reflect realistic assumptions?
Conclusion
Having a great pitch deck is not enough for fundraising readiness. Investors look for proof of good business sense, legal structure and readiness to grow responsibly. Financial and compliance due diligence before investing can minimize delays, provide greater transparency and improve the efficiency of the due diligence process. The crux of the matter is that the business must be prepared and guided by a venture capital advisory firm in India and begin the fundraising process with greater clarity and confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is fundraising readiness?
Fundraising readiness is the process of preparing a business financially, legally and operationally before approaching investors. It involves reviewing financial records, ownership structure, regulatory compliance, contracts, projections and supporting documents so the company is better prepared for investor due diligence.
Q: What is an investor data room?
An investor data room is an organised collection of important business documents made available to investors and their advisors during due diligence. It enables information to be reviewed systematically instead of being scattered across emails and separate files.
Q: What are common red flags investors may find during due diligence?
Potential red flags identified in the article include pending litigation, financial issues, compliance problems, unclear ownership, customer concentration and unrealistic financial projections.
Also Read: Venture Capital Advisory: What Startups Need Before Their Next Fundraise
