Over 40,000 companies now benefit from data management solutions such as virtual data rooms, according to KPMG’s M&A cloud data research. Having a prepared investor data room is a certain way to speed up the process, save sensitive data, and impress potential investors.

This article explains the benefits of virtual data rooms and how to select one wisely. You’ll also discover what legal documents to include and get a complete analysis of VDR providers as a bonus. 

What is a data room for investors?

Virtual data rooms are online platforms that provide a common interface for potential investors, sellers, and other intermediaries throughout the due diligence and fundraising process. VDRs’ principal goal is to create a secure environment for important information while supporting confidence and transparency in transactions. 

Is it mandatory to have a data room for investors?

Data rooms have evolved from being a strategic choice to an essential asset for investors. For startups seeking investment or acquisition, data rooms are now vital since they improve brand perception. Other than that, during due diligence, prospective investors require access to company documents and financial statements, and data rooms provide a secure and efficient means of sharing such critical data. 

Apart from due diligence, startups handle sensitive materials and intellectual property like financial records and legal documents. With access control features, startups can manage permissions, ensuring only authorized parties can view or download specific documents. Moreover, the collaborative nature of data rooms facilitates real-time interactions while working on a pitch deck.

Thus, consider a data room for investors as a strategy and business model that helps you handle important information during business processes. 

What are the benefits of having a data room for investors?

Poor deal preparation may lead to an inefficient due diligence process, a lack of strategic planning, and a lack of effective communication, all of which can put deals at risk. Having a dedicated data room, on the other hand, brings several benefits to both investors and companies seeking finance. 

Thorough due diligence

Data rooms simplify due diligence by organizing and presenting documents. Investors can promptly access critical information, reducing the time to conduct due diligence. The following features of VDR streamline the process:

• Advanced search
• Version control
• Permission controls
• Secure document sharing

Accelerated fundraising

Traditional methods of document sharing such as physical copies or email attachments often are time-consuming processes. With the following benefits, using VDRs helps to clarify shareholder information and speeds up the startup funding process:

• Secure document watermarking
• Compliance tracking
• Custom branding
• Mobile Accessibility

Security

VDR outperforms conventional file-sharing software in terms of security and operational efficiency, and it eliminates the danger and uncertainty associated with transferring highly secret material via email:

• Multifactorial authentication
• Granular permissions
• Built-in NDA agreements
• Secure view

Communication

Data rooms serve as a centralized platform for communication among stakeholders. They offer features that promote transparent communication by providing a documented record of interactions.

• Q&A sections
• Audit trails
• Commenting and annotation tools
• Discussion forums for sharing valuable insights

How long does it take to set up an investor data room?

Creating an investor data room is a crucial step in attracting potential investors and facilitating due diligence. The duration of this process varies depending on the readiness of the index, the volume of your data, the solution you opt for, and even the connection speed! Typically, the setup can take from 15 minutes to several hours or days.

We recommend following the steps below to simplify the process of setting up an investor VDR

1. Organize your documents

Arrange your papers before setting up a VDR. This includes keeping financial accounts, legal paperwork, and operating data organized and easily accessible.

2. Make the right choice

It is critical to pick a VDR platform that is user-friendly and has powerful security measures. Also, think about integration possibilities, such as Slack or Microsoft Teams, etc.

3. Prioritize clear communication 

Keep open lines of communication with your team and legal counsel to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that any questions or issues are addressed as soon as possible.

What documents to include in a data room for investors? 6-step basic checklist

It is crucial to carefully evaluate the documentation you want to see and share while setting the VDR for investors. The most challenging task is to strike a balance between sharing too much unnecessary information and keeping confidential information safe.

There is a breakout of documents that you can include in your data room.

1. Financial documents

Financial materials give investors valuable insights into the company’s financial health, assisting them in evaluating risk and prospective rewards.

• Audited financial statements
• Profit and loss statements
• Cash flow statements
• Balance sheets
• Budgets and forecasts
• Tax returns

2. Legal documents 

The following reports include information on a company’s regulatory compliance, prospective liabilities, and the status of essential contracts.

• Contracts and agreements
• Intellectual property documentation
• Regulatory compliance records
• Litigation history and pending cases
• Permits and licenses
• Insurance policies

3. Operational documents

These papers provide context for the business’s strategic direction and efficiency by shedding light on its day-to-day operations.

• Business plans
• Organizational structure charts
• Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Project timelines and milestones
• Key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Technology infrastructure documentation

4. Market and competitive analysis

Market and competition materials assist investors in understanding the company’s market position and competitive advantages.

• Market research reports
• SWOT analysis
• Competitive landscape analysis
• Customer segmentation data
• Marketing and advertising strategies
• Industry trends and forecasts

5. Team and personnel documents

Team and personnel documents give insight into important staff’s talents and expertise, helping investors have confidence in the leadership and workforce.

• Resumes of key executives
• Organizational charts
• Employee contracts and agreements
• Training and development programs
• Succession plans
• Employee performance evaluations

6. Customer and sales documents

These records highlight the company’s income sources, client base, and market acceptability.

• Customer contracts and agreements
• Sales and revenue data
• Customer testimonials and case studies
• Sales projections and pipelines
• Distribution channels
• Marketing strategies and campaigns

What to avoid including in an investor data room?

When putting together an investor data room, it is crucial to prioritize precision and relevance. Unnecessary or sensitive information can hinder the clarity and efficiency of the due diligence process. The following insights will help you to decide what shouldn’t be included in your data room.

1. Irrelevant personal information
   Exclude employee personal information that is not relevant to the investment decision-making process.

2. Outdated documents
   Remove any obsolete material that might cause misunderstanding or misinterpretation.
   
3. Unfinished or unapproved contracts
   To avoid any misunderstandings, only provide finished contracts.

4. Overly detailed operational information
   Avoid confusing investors with extensive operating documentation that may detract from critical findings.

5. Non-disclosure agreements initially

To preserve a balance of trust and openness, postpone presenting NDAs in the early phases.

3 best practices for keeping an investor VDR

A successful data room is key to attracting investors and securing funding for your startup. Here are some best practices to keep in mind.

1. Implement robust security measures

When handling confidential information in a VDR, ensuring security is of utmost importance. Companies need to make security their top priority by implementing robust measures to safeguard sensitive data. This includes the following:

• Encryption protocols

Utilize advanced encryption protocols to protect documents both in transit and at rest. Even if unauthorized access occurs, the data remains unintelligible.

• Access controls 

Implement granular access controls to restrict information access based on user roles. Assign specific permissions to ensure only authorized individuals can view and modify relevant documents

• Regular audits
  Conduct regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities and address potential threats promptly. 

2. Streamline document organization and accessibility 

Companies can improve the organization and accessibility of their documents in the following ways:

• Categorization and indexing

Classify documents into well-defined categories and create an index for easy navigation. This way investors can quickly locate specific information.

• Version control

This feature helps to track changes and updates made to documents.

• User-friendly interface

Choose a comfortable and clear interface that simplifies the navigation and retrieval of documents. 

3. Foster effective communication and collaboration

Three steps help to build smooth communication and collaboration within VDR:

• Integrate real-time collaboration tools 

Functions such as comments, annotations, and discussion spaces enable seamless communication among team members and investors. 

• Notifications and alerts

Announcements and notifications facilitate keeping all relevant parties informed of updates, document changes, or new additions. 

• Dedicated support channels

24/7 help and support within the VDR improves the customer experience for investors and helps to seek clarification or assistance. 

What are the best data rooms for investors?

The demand for secure and efficient VDR for investors is on the rise. As a result, investors look for platforms that are capable of providing a smooth due diligence experience. In this paragraph, we will examine three top providers – iDeals, Onehub, and Smartroom – each offering distinct features to meet the diverse requirements of investors.

1. iDeals

iDeals is a top-tier VDR provider that is well-known for its advanced security features and user-friendly interface, as confirmed by the users’ reviews. The platform uses robust encryption protocols to protect sensitive data during both transit and storage, which assures investors of the confidentiality of the shared information. iDeals’ intuitive interface simplifies document navigation and the platform offers the following set of features:

• Support of over 25 formats 
• Bulk upload
• Remote shred
• Secure fence view
• Dynamic watermarks

2. Onehub

Onehub stands out with its user-friendly design and a focus on collaborative efficiency. The platform’s document organization features, such as categorization, indexing, and version control, streamline the due diligence process. Real-time collaboration tools, including comments and annotations, enable effective communication within the platform. 

Onehub is dedicated to providing a seamless and customizable user experience with the following features:

• Customization
• Safe preview mode
• Microsoft Office Online and Google Drive integration
• Role-based permissions
• Embedded sign-in forms

3. Smartroom

Smartroom is an exceptional platform that facilitates effective communication and seamless workflow integration within a VDR. It offers a wide range of real-time collaboration tools that enable investors and startups to engage in discussions, annotations, and document sharing. In addition, Smartroom provides the users with the following set of features:

• Data backup
• Document access expiry
• Custom login page
• Branded user interface
• Custom workflows

Key takeaways

1. A virtual data room is a web-based platform that provides a safe and centralized interface for potential investors, sellers, and intermediaries.
   
2. Due diligence is made easier with VDRs’ inbuilt search, version control, permission restrictions, and secure document exchange.
   
3. Setting up an investor data room entails categorizing various documents, choosing a user-friendly VDR platform with sufficient security, and keeping open lines of communication with the team and legal counsel.

4. Curate relevant documents for the data room, excluding outdated and unfinished contracts initially.