A startup data room is a virtual repository that helps in the management, communication and processing documents with the aid of an encrypted platform. It is frequently used in due diligence processes and helps in fundraising efforts for startups. Generally, the information stored in a data space contains company organization documents, pitch decks financial data, market information and documents relating to people. However, a startup needs to be aware of sharing proprietary information such as codes or trade secrets with the data room to ensure security of the data.
Investors will be able find any document or item in the data room. However it is crucial that it is clearly labeled and easy to locate. It’s also a good thing to divide information into distinct stages. For instance, a stage one data room may contain things like pitch decks, strategy documents and product plans to provide investors with an overview of your company. On the other hand, the stage 2 data rooms could contain more sensitive information such as legal agreements and HR-related documents.
It is also a good idea to include any customer reference in the data room, as this can be a significant factor in the decision of some investors. This will save investors the time of calling customers because they can read the notes that are in the data room. Additionally, it is worthwhile including any intellectual property information in the data room, because this is an important area that VCs are seeking. This includes filings, patent numbers and trademarks.