Free pre-IPO due diligence toolkit and fee calculator

01 / THE RESEARCH CHECKLIST

Before you commit.

0 / 10 reviewed

Checking every box records your review. It does not independently verify the investment or eliminate risk.

02 / FOLLOW THE COST

What is inside the price?

See how an embedded markup and an upfront fee could affect a hypothetical purchase.

Total cash outlay ($)Markup over seller’s cost (%)Upfront fee (% of cash outlay)

ILLUSTRATIVE SELLER COST BASIS

$20,417

of your $25,000 cash outlay

Upfront fee: $500
Embedded markup: $4,083
Combined difference: $4,583 (18.3%)

Formula: (cash outlay − upfront fee) ÷ (1 + markup). Seller cost basis is not fair value, company value or a predicted return. This illustration excludes recurring expenses, carried interest, taxes and changes in value. Actual fee arrangements vary.

Ask about the fee structure

03 / ASK FOR THE EVIDENCE

A document request you can use.

Personalize this starting point for your own inquiry. A reply still needs independent review.

Before I consider this offer, please provide:

1. The legal names of the seller, firm, issuer and every intermediary; applicable CRD/SEC numbers; and your role and compensation.
2. The exact security and share class I would buy, including an ownership diagram if a fund or SPV is involved.
3. Evidence of ownership and authority to transfer, plus applicable issuer consent, rights of first refusal and transfer restrictions.
4. The offering documents, subscription agreement, risk disclosures and applicable registration exemption.
5. The full purchase price and a written breakdown of markups, commissions, recurring expenses and carried interest.
6. Financial information available to investors and the reporting schedule.
7. Written support for any claims about an IPO, liquidity or an exit; what happens if no IPO occurs; and who controls distributions.
8. The payment beneficiary, custody/administration arrangements and an independent way to confirm payment instructions.

Please allow time for independent review. I will verify contact and payment details through sources I obtain separately.

Better questions. In your hands.

Before you commit.

What is inside the price?

A document request you can use.

Bring your questions.
Take a more informed next step.

Better questions. In your hands.

Before you commit.

What is inside the price?

A document request you can use.

Bring your questions.Take a more informed next step.

Bring your questions.
Take a more informed next step.