A data room is a space that allows sensitive data to be shared during due diligence and other business transactions. It is used across multiple industries including healthcare, finance, IT and the capital markets to allow businesses to share data securely with potential investors and other stakeholders. Due diligence was traditionally done in physical rooms, but nowadays, it is conducted electronically. It requires a large amount of documents.
Investors will have a lot of questions about the startup’s documentation. It is the founders’ job to answer these questions in a way that makes them feel welcome and speeds up the process. A good place to start is by creating an organized and clear folder structure with clearly defined documents grouped into categories (e.g. legal, financial, contracts). A clear labelling of these folders and documents allows users to find the information they require. Metadata can be added to the data room in order to provide each file with additional context.
Other useful sections that founders can include in their data room include a competitive analysis, a list of current customers and referrals, as well as a customer references/testimonials section. Lastly, a company organisation/formation section includes any documents that show how the startup is legally registered and operated. This could include articles of incorporation or business certificates, as well as tax information and an audited financial statement. This will help prove that the startup is a legitimate and trustworthy entity for consideration by investors.