Last updated: 8/1/2023

We’ve compiled a list of ideal "Data Room items" that investors typically request for companies at the late Seed stage. The goal with a data room is to work backwards from your next round and build the necessary materials along the way.

Some of these items may not be relevant until the Series A, but if you can cover most of this list, you will be in great shape. We believe in having the companies we work with be wildly over-prepared and organized, rather than the alternative.

Although not all items may apply to you now, it is good to begin thinking about how to best prepare over the long term. Please take all of these as recommendations - you know your business best!

*Data rooms can be stored in Google Drive folders, Docsend folders or other file storage providers like dropbox, etc.

What is a data room?

The term “data room” is a holdover from the 1900s, when companies used to print physical documents and present them in secure rooms for investors and other prospective partners to review. Today, data rooms are virtual — but they’re still an important part of the diligence process.

Data rooms are also a key part of the preparation for other liquidity events like IPOs or SPACs, but here we focus on the importance of data rooms when raising venture capital. Here’s what founders need to know, including what data investors are hoping to see, the documents you don’t need, and red flags to look out for.

Investment Memo

• Fundraising Deck
• Product Demo (video) - we can understand that not everyone wants to do a recording that could be viewed by competitors (note: you can password protect and manage access). Screenshots work, but some kind of walk through visualization.
• Product Roadmap
• Competitive Landscape - Deep Dive (not just a slide in deck)
• analysis of who is in the market, what they offer, and what their “hook” or wedge is
• Why your approach is different and will win. If not immediately, then the steps to overtake them. What do you know that your competitors don’t?
• Research / Industry Primer: ****articles, white papers, or industry reports
• FAQ
• You’ll probably get a lot of the same questions, over and over again. It can be frustrating to repeat each time, but you’ll have to do it. Might as well put it in one place.