Investor Readiness: Pre-Funding Checklist
Are you ready to raise funding? Use this comprehensive pre-funding checklist to ensure your business plan, pitch deck, financials, and data room are investor-ready.
Preparation is the difference between a successful fundraise and a wasted opportunity. Investors form an impression within the first 10 minutes of reviewing your materials. This checklist ensures every document you share is polished, consistent, and compelling.
Pre-Funding Checklist
Business Plan
- Executive summary is 200-300 words
- Financial projections for 3-5 years
- Clear funding ask with use of funds
- Three scenarios (base, conservative, aggressive)
- Team section with relevant experience
Pitch Deck
- 10-12 slides maximum
- Problem + solution in first 3 slides
- Market size with TAM/SAM/SOM
- Business model and unit economics
- Ask slide with specific amount and milestones
Financial Model
- Monthly P&L for first 2 years
- Annual projections for years 3-5
- Cash flow statement and runway calc
- Unit economics (CAC, LTV, payback)
- Sensitivity analysis on key drivers
Data Room
- Cap table and legal structure
- IP portfolio and patents
- Customer contracts and LOIs
- Team resumes and bios
- Market research and competitive analysis
Due Diligence Preparation
Beyond the initial materials, prepare for investor due diligence by organizing:
- Legal documents: Incorporation, bylaws, IP assignments, employment agreements, and past funding documents
- Financial records: Historical financials (if any), tax returns, bank statements, and material contracts
- Customer data: Top customer list, retention data, NPS scores, and case studies with measurable results
Red Flag Check
Review your materials for common red flags: unrealistic projections, vague market sizing, missing competitive analysis, unclear use of funds, or team gaps. Fix these before any investor meeting.
Get Investor Ready
PlanAI's investor readiness module guides you through every step of fundraising preparation with automated due diligence checklists.
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