Sample report - illustrative only
Example Growth Co (Pty) Ltd
Sample layout · Raise target: R5m-R15m · Sector: B2B software and services
Example Growth Co has enough commercial evidence to justify early investor conversations, but the raise should not go live until the model, cap table, and pipeline evidence are tightened. The business is most credible where recurring revenue, customer retention, and founder-market fit are clearly documented.
Recommended timeline: 45-75 days of focused preparation before formal outreach, with the first month spent on financial model discipline, data-room cleanup, and a sharper use-of-funds bridge.
Sample benchmark: this score would sit above the typical early diagnostic result for founders seeking R5m-R15m, but below the threshold where institutional investors are likely to move without further diligence preparation.
Executive View
The company is not too early, but the current raise story is still vulnerable. A serious investor would likely engage with the market opportunity and customer proof, then slow down around revenue concentration, valuation support, and whether the management team can produce diligence material quickly.
The right next step is not broad investor outreach. It is a short preparation sprint: rebuild the forecast around evidence, document the sales pipeline, clean up governance records, and translate the capital ask into measurable milestones.
13/20
Management accounts exist and revenue is meaningful, but the model is not yet investor-grade. Gross margin and runway assumptions need clearer evidence.
12/20
The basic company structure is in place, but the data room is not yet clean enough for a fast process. Cap table, contracts, and IP records need a single diligence file.
15/20
There is real demand and a credible pipeline, but the market proof needs to be translated into funder language. Retention and sales conversion should be quantified.
14/20
The team has credible founder-market fit and enough operating depth for this stage. Key-person dependency remains a concern if commercial relationships sit with one founder.
14/20
The raise amount is plausible, but the valuation and return case need more work. The deck should connect problem urgency, use of funds, milestones, and investor return more directly.
Why it matters: If one customer drives too much revenue, investors will discount the quality of traction and ask whether growth is repeatable.
Suggested fix: Add a customer concentration schedule, renewal status, and pipeline evidence showing how the revenue base will diversify over the next 12 months.
Why it matters: A valuation that is not tied to market evidence, revenue quality, or milestone logic can weaken the negotiation before the investor has reviewed the model.
Suggested fix: Build a valuation bridge using revenue multiples, dilution sensitivity, runway needs, and milestone-based capital deployment.
Why it matters: Slow or incomplete diligence creates friction and can make the business look less prepared than it is.
Suggested fix: Prepare a clean folder structure covering corporate records, tax, contracts, IP, financials, cap table, pipeline, and key operating metrics.
Fit: Moderate to strong
These investors will focus on market urgency, founder-market fit, revenue growth, repeatability, and whether the capital can create a clear step-change in traction.
SA examples: angel groups, seed-stage venture funds, operator investors, and sector-focused early-stage capital providers.
The business has enough signal for these conversations, but should tighten the model and deck before asking for terms.
Fit: Moderate
Strategic investors will look for distribution fit, product adjacency, customer proof, and whether the partnership creates commercial leverage beyond money.
SA examples: corporate innovation units, sector platforms, and industry partners with channel access.
This route becomes stronger once the company can show pipeline conversion and a defensible wedge.
Fit: Not yet
These funders will require stronger governance, compliance, job or impact metrics, and heavier documentation than the company currently appears ready to support.
SA examples: DFIs, impact funds, ESD programmes, and blended-capital platforms.
Consider later if the business can evidence development impact and prepare a more complete compliance pack.
Create a linked forecast with revenue drivers, gross margin, headcount, runway, downside case, and use-of-funds milestones.
Effort: 2-3 weeks
Centralise CIPC documents, SARS status, shareholder records, IP assignments, client contracts, financials, cap table, and pipeline support.
Effort: 1-2 weeks
Rewrite the deck around the problem, customer urgency, competitive wedge, traction quality, capital ask, and investor return logic.
Effort: 1-2 weeks
Separate likely angels, early-stage funds, strategic investors, and non-fit capital providers before outreach begins.
Effort: 3-5 days
Advisory Pack
When a real diagnostic score shows enough signal, the paid pack helps move from insight to action.
10-15 South African capital providers matched to the profile, with fit notes and approach guidance.
A 45-minute session to interpret the score and decide what to fix before outreach.
Written feedback on the pitch deck, focusing on diligence gaps and investor objections.
Complete the diagnostic and receive a personalised version based on your answers and optional uploads.