ENISA and UNED have developed training to help startups identify suitable investment options, present their proposals professionally and understand the legal and financial requirements associated with growth.
Preparation should not begin when an investor appears. Due diligence is easier when information already forms part of routine management and every important figure can be connected to verifiable documentation.
Ownership and decisions
The cap table, shareholders' agreements, minutes, authorities and previous issuances must be consistent. A small discrepancy can become a prolonged negotiation when it affects control or future rights.
Finance, customers and obligations
Accounts should explain revenue, costs, debt, tax, grants and forecasts. Customer and supplier contracts need to reveal obligations, duration, renewal, dependence and potential liabilities.
Technology, data and intellectual property
Code, trademarks, domains, licences, employee and contractor assignments, data protection and security must genuinely belong to the company. Valuable technology with unclear rights becomes weaker during investment review.