A VC or an investor has expressed an interest in your business and asked for more information. They want to verify what you’ve stated in your pitch and are seeking granular details on your business’s structure and financials. A data room for investors can assist.

The difference between winning or losing an investment deal can be determined by getting it right. Investors are busy and don’t have a lot of time to wait for slow processes, therefore you must be ready to go whenever an interested investor approaches. Having the right information in an online data room will save both sides time, and also show that you’re serious about fundraising.

To manage a successful investor data room, begin by creating an organizational structure that is clear and logically labeled. Only include the documents that investors will require to complete their due diligence. This can vary based on the stage of the deal, but generally includes:

IP Information (patent filings and trademarks)

People-Related Documentation (resumes and employee stock agreements and documentation on hiring)

Financial Information (historical and projected) including assumptions, sources and the www.dataroomproducts.com/how-to-run-an-investor-data-room-for-your-startup/ logic underlying these projections

Consider adding documentation to prove that your business is in compliance with local, national and international regulations. This is a great way to show investors that your business is compliant with local national or international regulations. Lastly, consider including files on sustainability for the long-term (e.g., a carbon emissions reporting system or other measures to sustain the environment). Using a virtual data space that incorporates analysis of file access can allow startups to plan ahead of meetings with investors and other stakeholders. This will lead to stronger conversations and a better understanding of the issues investors are most concerned with.