This is a checklist of information that should be carefully examined by venture capitalists
while conducting due diligence in connection with a potential investment in a business.
The checklist ensures that the potential investor reviews corporate compliance records,
finances and taxes, employment and labor issues, business contracts, intellectual
property rights, and litigation concerns. This checklist should be used by individuals or
entities to help conduct due diligence in connection with a potential investment to
ensure that the investor is making a smart and sound investment.
VENTURE CAPITAL DUE DILIGENCE CHECKLIST
FOR INVESTING IN A BUSINESS
1. General Corporate Compliance/Organizational Information.
Review the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the company, and any/all
amendments.
Review the minute book of the company.
Verify that the company is duly incorporated and in good standing in the state of its
incorporation.
Verify that the company is qualified to do business in all states in which it transacts
business.
Review all stock certificates and determine the number and type of the authorized and
issued shares of stock of the company and the registered owners of the issued and outstanding
shares.
Determine whether there are options, warrants, or other rights to acquire shares
outstanding.
Review stock transfer records of the company.
Review all agreements between the company and its shareholders.
Review securities law filings under state and federal securities laws.
2. Financial and Tax Information.
Review the financial statements, balance sheets and income statements of the company,
including all profit and loss statements for the current year and the past five years.
Review all budgets, business plans, projections and management reports prepared by the
company within the past five years.
Review the company’s accounts payable, including their quality, aging and composition,
and determine if there are any disputed accounts.
Secure credit reports.
Review any forecasted income statements and balance sheets. if available, for both the
current and following fiscal years, or for such periods as forecasts have been prepared, and the
assumptions upon which the forecasts are based.
Review company’s pricing policies and compliance.
Review company’s inventory valuation, turnover and obsolescence review.
Determine whether the company has any secured financing, including accounts
receivable or inventory financing, and review all documents associated with that financing.
Review and create a list of names and locations of all banks utilized by the company
including full information on the types of accounts and the names of persons authorized to draw
thereon.
Review all bank loan agreements.
Review all federal, state, and local income tax returns of the company for the past five
years.
Obtain copies of property tax assessments for the past five years.
Communications between the company and the IRS, including, without limitation, audit
and revenue agent’s reports (federal, state and local); settlement and consent documents and
correspondence; and agreements waiving statute of limitations or extending time.
Copies of documents relating to IRS or state tax proceedings, deficiencies assessed, or
audits commenced.
3. Employment and Labor Matters.
Obtain a list of the company’s employees, their job classifications, compensation, and
length of employment.
Review all employment agreements.
Review all indemnification contracts or similar arrangements for officers and directors of
the Company.
Review all of the company’s employee benefit plans, including retirement plans, pension
plans, profit-sharing plans, deferred compensation plans, health insurance, and other employee
health and welfare plans.
Review all documents relating to employee stock option plans, incentive stock option
plans, employee stock purchase plans, stock bonus plans, salary bonus plans and any other
benefit plans or arrangements.
Review the company’s personnel manual and all documents furnished to employees in
connection with their employment.
Review the current and proposed organizational structure of the company.
Determine whether there are any claims by employees or government agencies, or
investigations, pending against the company arising out to employment matters, including
discrimination claims, grievances, arbitration cases, workers’ compensation cases, OSHA cases,
labor disputes and similar matters.
Review the company’s relationship with independent sales agents and other independent
contractors with whom the company deals on a regular basis.
Review all collective bargaining and union agreements to which the company is a party.
Review any copies or schedules of contracts, plans, or arrangements regarding election or
termination of directors and officers.
4. Business Contracts and Commitments.
Obtain a list of the company’s major suppliers, the goods or services supplied, and annual
dollar volume of business with the company.
Review copies of all agreements between the company and its major suppliers
Obtain a list of the company’s major customers, the goods or services supplied, and
annual dollar volume of business with the company.
Determine whether there are currently, or have in the past been material disputes between
the company and its suppliers or customers.
Review all agreements pertaining to the marketing and distribution of the company’s
products or services, including all agreements with independent sales representatives,
distributors, marketing companies and franchisees.
Review all material agreements with customers, including warranties provided to
customers.
Review all installment sales agreements.
Review all forms of sales invoice, purchase order, receipt, agreements, and other sales
documents used by the company.
Review documents describing the company’s products or services such as promotional
literature, brochures, and newsletters.
Review copies of any license or royalty agreements.
Review any sale-leaseback arrangements.
Note any membership agreements or other relations with trade associations.
5. Intellectual Property.
Review all material license agreements relating to intellectual or intangible property
running to and from the Company.
Create a list of all patents, trademarks and copyrights held by or licensed to the company.
Review all documents relating to patents and trademarks including filings with U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office.
Note any policies and procedures relating to identification and protection of trade secrets
and other confidential information developed by the company and/or disclosed to the company
under a covenant of nondisclosure.
Review the technological infrastructure of the Company, including: proprietary hardware,
software systems, and networks; all leased, purchased, or shared hardware, software systems,
and networks; all interconnecting hardware, software systems, and networks’; environmental
systems, including vaults, alarm systems, elevators, and telephones.
Review sales contracts for hardware and software systems, including warranty
provisions, licensing agreements, operating agreements, maintenance and service contracts,
consulting agreements and other strategic business relationships pertaining to data processing
and information technology.
6. Equipment and Personal Property.
Obtain a list of all machinery, equipment, furniture, and fixtures owned or leased by the
company and depreciation schedules and leases.
Review any installment purchase agreements.
Review service contracts on tangible personal property of the company.
Obtain an inventory list, including category and aging information.
Review the company’s accounts receivable records, including age, composition and
write-off history.
Review information about the company’s trade secrets and evaluate the company’s trade
secret protection program.
Obtain a search of appropriate state and local records for U.C.C. financing statements and
other evidence of liens or encumbran