Resources
Capital Readiness Checklist
Six areas to assess before you approach investors. Work through each one honestly. If gaps appear, they are worth closing before the process begins rather than during it.
1. Financial records
Investors and development finance institutions require clean, up-to-date financials. Gaps here delay or kill transactions.
- At least two, ideally three years of audited or independently reviewed annual financial statements
- Management accounts updated within the last 90 days
- All statements reconcile to bank statements with no unexplained variances
- Revenue recognition is consistent and documented
- Related-party transactions are disclosed and documented
- Tax affairs are current: no outstanding returns or SARS disputes
2. Financial model
A pitch deck alone is not enough. Investors stress-test the model, not the slides.
- Revenue build is bottom-up, not percentage-of-market
- Assumptions are clearly labelled and defensible against actuals
- Unit economics are visible: contribution margin, customer acquisition cost, payback period where applicable
- Model covers at least three years of projections with monthly detail for year one
- At least two scenarios modelled (base and downside)
- Historical period in the model reconciles to audited statements
- Working capital, capital expenditure, and funding requirements are explicitly modelled
3. Capital strategy
Knowing what you need and why is the prerequisite to finding the right investor. Approaching without this clarity wastes time on both sides.
- Raise amount is derived from the model, not a round number
- Use of funds is broken down by line item, not described in aggregate
- Capital type (equity, debt, blended) has been evaluated against your cash flow profile and dilution tolerance
- You have identified at least a short-list of investor types that are a realistic fit for your stage, sector, and raise size
- Valuation expectations are grounded in comparable transactions, not aspirational multiples
4. Investor materials
Materials are not just marketing. They are a signal of how seriously the founder takes the process.
- Executive summary or investor teaser (one to two pages) exists and tells the story clearly
- Pitch deck covers: problem, solution, market, business model, traction, team, financials, raise details
- Information memorandum or detailed investor pack is prepared or in progress
- Data room is organised and access-controlled
- Questions-and-answers pack anticipates likely diligence questions
5. Governance and compliance
Governance gaps discovered during diligence are the most common cause of deal delays and renegotiations.
- CIPC registration is current and company details are accurate
- Share register and cap table are documented and up to date
- Shareholder agreements exist and cover key scenarios (exit, dilution, drag and tag rights)
- B-BBEE certificate is current or verification is underway
- Material contracts with clients and suppliers are signed and on file
- Employment contracts for senior management are signed
- No undisclosed litigation, disputes, or regulatory investigations
6. Founder and team readiness
A capital raise is a 6 to 12 month process that runs alongside the business. Underestimating the time and energy required is one of the most common reasons raises stall.
- The founder or a senior team member has bandwidth to lead the process without taking their eye off operations
- Key risks in the business (key-person dependency, customer concentration, market risks) are understood and addressable
- The team can credibly answer detailed questions about the financials, operations, and strategy without referring everything to a single person
- References from clients, advisors, or partners are available
- The management team is aligned on raise terms, dilution tolerance, and what an investor relationship will look like in practice
Related reading
The Investor Readiness Checklist
Everything South African founders need to have in place before approaching investors for R1 million to R50 million in growth capital.
24 April 2026What Investors Actually Look at During Diligence
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10 April 2026Equity or Debt? Choosing the Right Capital Structure
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