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Investor Readiness Check

Seed investor readiness checker

Step 1 of 5 - Your Information

20%

Section 1 - Your Information

Please enter your name

First Last

(Optional)

What is the name of your business?

Company name

(Optional)

Please enter your email address

In which country is your company registered?(Required)

If your business is not yet incorporated, select the country in which your startup is based.

Section 2 - Your Pitch Deck

The questions in this section cover the important information that you should include within your pitch deck. It does not cover every detail which you might include, and is not written in any particular order. For detailed information about writing a pitch-deck, visit our specific page.

Which industry does your startup company relate to?(Required)

How would you describe the current stage of your pitch-deck?(Required)

I haven't put a pitch-deck together yet

I am currently building it, but it's not completed

I have completed my pitch-deck

A pitch deck is an essential document which all founders looking for investment should have completed. The quality of your pitch deck plays an important role in an investors' decision making process. More information can be found across our site.

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Number Current stage of pitch deck

To what extent have you outlined the problem, and your solution to that problem?(Required)

No at all

Briefly

Thoroughly (but concise)

It is important for investors to be able to see the problem which you aim to tackle, and how you plan on doing so. For more information on how and where to include this, visit our 'How to write a great pitch deck' page.

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Number Problem and solution

Have you included a section covering your key financials?(Required)

Yes

No

If yes, please answer the questions which pop-up below. Every deck should include a brief summary of the key financial forecasts for at least the next 3 years. Leave the intricate details for you financial model.

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Number Key financials

Have you included your cash flow forecast?(Required)

Yes

No

Have you included an income statement?(Required)

Yes

No

Have you included a sales forecast?(Required)

Yes

No

To what extent have you addressed the market size, target customer, and potential growth within the market?(Required)

I haven't included this information

I have provided limited information

I have provided thorough (but concise) information

Investors want to know how scalable your business is within the relevant market, and how your product fits with the target customer. It is imperative that you include this section.

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Number Addressing market size etc...

Have you outlined your proposed use of funds, round size, and current shareholders?(Required)

I haven't included this information

I have included limited information

I have provided thorough (but concise) information

Investors want to know how their money will be spent, and what ticket size you are expecting them to invest. This is also a chance to show off previous investors (if applicable), and why they chose to invest.

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Number proposed use of funds

Have you recognised your competition?(Required)

Yes

No

Whether you are entering an existing market, or a brand new market, you will have competition. Investors want to see that you have acknowledged this through market research, and have outlined your key advantages.

Please select any of the following fields which you have also included within your pitch-deck (if applicable)(Required)

Possible exit strategies

Information about your team

Existing partnerships

Marketing strategy

Brief value proposition (often a comparison)

None of the above

Has your pitch-deck been peer reviewed and/or reviewed by an expert?(Required)

Yes

No

It is important that you have your deck reviewed by both peers, and individuals with experience in equity raising. This will ensure that you include all necessary information, and iron out any mistakes. Without this step, your pitch-deck may not be of the highest possible quality.

Is your pitch-deck between 10-20 slides long?(Required)

Yes

No

The ideal length for a pitch deck should be between 10-20 slides. Any less and you risk not including all necessary information. Any more than 20 slides and you risk overcomplicating your key sections; remember, pitch-decks should be clear and concise.

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Number

Section 3 - Typical Factors Investors May Look For

These questions assess your progress with typical factors which many investors may look for when investing into startups.

Have you registered your business as a Limited Company?(Required)

Yes

No

It is important that you decide which type of business organization is right for you, and incorporate your business before seeking any investment.

It is essential that you have incorporated your business with HMRC before seeking any form of investment.

What date was your company incorporated?(Required)

MM slash DD slash YYYY

How much capital have you raised (through equity only) to date?(Required)

£0

£1 - £150,000

£150,000 - £1m

£1m+

Do not include debt capital of any from, or capital invested by yourself (the founder) if you have more than a 30% equity stake.

Have you begun the process of applying to become SEIS qualified?(Required)

I haven't started this process yet

I have started my application with HMRC

I have received AA (Advanced Assurance) from HMRC

My company has been approved, and qualifies for SEIS tax relief

SEIS tax relief is an attractive tax relief incentive for potential investors. Take our free SEIS eligibility check to see if you are eligible for the SEIS scheme.

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Number SEIS approval

Have you applied to become EIS approved?(Required)

I haven't applied

My application is being processed

I have received EIS approval from HMRC

Have you obtained a full patent for your product or invention from the IPO?(Required)

I have not yet applied

My application is in 'Patent Pending'

I have been approved, and hold a full UK patent

My patent application has been rejected by the IPO

This does not apply to my product/business

Having intellectual property protection for your product/idea protects others from copying or replicating your invention. This can offer significant confidence to potential investors.

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Number Patent

Have you enlisted legal help to aid with your patent application?(Required)

Yes

No

The IPO strongly recommends seeking professional help with your patent application. Only around 1 in 20 applications are approved without professional advice.

Are you able to demonstrate personal financial commitment to your venture ('skin in the game')?(Required)

None

Minimal

Significant

Many early stage investors will often want to see that you, as a founder, have 'skin in the game.' This is usually due to the risk that they are taking, and therefore seek assurance that you will be driven, motivated and incentivised to achieve success.

Have you written a comprehensive (including lean) business plan?(Required)

I have not written a business plan

I have begun writing a business plan but not finished

I have a full business plan, written with correct structure and detailed information

I do not plan to write a formal business plan for my business

Whilst there is some debate over the necessity of business plans for modern startups, many people agree that is is a good idea to have one. It can help to set milestones/monitor progress, and investors will often want to see evidence of a full business plan (although few will take the time to read it).

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Number Business plan

Do you have a compelling story to back up your venture?(Required)

Yes

No

Having a great story behind your idea can help investors to connect with your business, and relate to it. Having a good story is becoming increasingly important when approaching investors.

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Number

Section 4 - Your Financials

Do you currently have a financial model?(Required)

I have a professionally written financial model

I have non-professionally written financial model

I do not have a financial model

A financial model is an essential document when raising investment. Investors will want to see the detailed projections, financial health and many other aspects of your business.

Without a financial model, you cannot demonstrate an accurate valuation, sensible projections or the financial health of your business. It is advisable to seek professional advice when looking to build a financial model.

Have you included a basic valuation calculation?(Required)

Yes

No

You should have a section on your valuation calculation, and potentially include the investment required. Be prepared to answer as to why you value the business at this level.

Financial Health Check (Previous Financials). Tick all that you have included.(Required)

Profit & Loss Statement

Balance Sheet

Cash Flow Statement

Commentary on movements to date & growth experienced

Commentary on Patents, other IP and reputational goodwill

No financial data to date

It is important that you include all necessary information on the financial health of your company.

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Number Financial health

Future Projections Check (Tick all that you have included)(Required)

Projections for 3-5 years in the future

Cashflow forecast

P&L forecast

Sales forecast

Details of revenue streams, growth assumptions and how this is realistic

Detail around cost basis

Investors will want to see your projections for the next 3-5 years. It is important that these projections are sensible, and justifiable.

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Number Future projections

Do you have a section outlining the risks and opportunities?(Required)

Yes

No

Next is your chance to show any additional risk or uplift you can expect which hasn’t been built in to your projections.

Tick the following columns within your risk and opportunity section(Required)

Type of risk

Potential value

Likelihood

Net impact

Additional comments

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Number

Section 5 - The Practicalities of Raising Capital

This section is to check that you have the foundations in place to begin actually raising capital. This includes the process of issuing shares, ensuring the integrity of important documents and making sure everything is done properly.

Do you currently have a professional accountant managing your business's financial affairs, including all of the official processes that go alongside raising share capital?(Required)

Yes

No

Whilst many small business's can operate without the help of an accountant, if you are looking to raise investment and scale your operations, it is advisable seek professional advice.

If you don't have an accountant, do you have the software/expertise to create and manage your shareholder register?(Required)

Yes

No

Limited Companies are required to hold an up-to-date register of all shareholders, and all of the share information. This is referred to as a shareholder register.

If you don't have an accountant, do you have the knowledge and expertise to produce your company's statement of capital?(Required)

Yes

No

When issuing new shares, business's are required to publish a 'statement of capital' to Companies House. This is usually written by an accountant.

Do you have a strong understanding of the nature of the shares/options being issued, the terms on which they are being issued and the effect that may have on your business?(Required)

No

Some Understanding

Solid Understanding

It is important that all founders understand the share structure of their business, whether or not an accountant is managing the finances.

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Number Nature of shares

Do you have a legal advisor/solicitor to organise and advise you on your investment terms/documents, and due diligence?(Required)

Yes

No

Founders should always seek legal advice before looking to raise investment. It is essential that you have professionally written, legally binding shareholders agreements and term sheets to offer to investors, as well as legal agreements with any other person with equity (such as a co-founder).

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Number

Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy(Required)

I have read and agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Please read and accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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