Due diligence is a process that verifies and confirms statements and views about a business and its prospects.   Due diligence reduces the risks of an investment. Every deal has risks attached to it so that you need to understand what risks to accept and which demand more detailed investigation. At In HBAN syndicates the due diligence process can be shared amongst syndicate members. Members with the most appropriate skills, experience and knowledge can undertake one or more areas of due diligence.

Due diligence areas

Area
Issues
Commercial and Operational
  • Company's strategy for delivering identified revenue enhancement and/or cost savings
  • Technical merits of product/service offering
  • Strengths of customer and supplier relationships
  • Competitive positioning
  • Market outlook
  • Ability to influence the market
  • Possible synergies
Management
  • Assessment of capability – management interviews
  • Identification of gaps and future plan
  • Take up references from previous employers, customers, suppliers and funders
Financial including tax and pensions
  • Historic financial performance
  • Current financial position
  • Financial model and projections
  • Tax: all taxes (corporation tax, VAT, employment taxes, rates, stamp duty, import duties, etc.) including deferred tax provided in balance sheet
  • Pensions: adequate provision in balance sheet
  • IT status and future requirements
Environmental
  • Environmental risk of a company's site(s)
  • Highlight any non-compliance with environmental regulations or company's own policy
  • Assessment of any ‘contaminated land’
Risk management and insurance
  • Assessment of any present, future and past
    exposures
Legal
  • Legal compliance with statutory obligations
  • Ownership of the company's IP including patents
  • Shares properly issued
  • Assessment of any shares 'promised' to current or former promoters and/or emp

How much is appropriate?

Not all of this will be applicable to a start-up or young company but they at least should be considered. A sample commercial and legal due diligence questionnaire is included in Appendix A of our investor Guide

Entrepreneur due diligence

Entrepreneurs can also undertake due diligence on you, checking your record of support or otherwise, so be prepared for this

This may be a challenge for entrepreneurs since angel investors do not generally have a website or publicly available information.  However, this is a small Island and someone will tell what they know about you

Interested? Apply Now