Startup due diligence for investors

An independent financial filter and investment memo on the investor’s side

Startup and project due diligence for investors, funds and investment platforms is an independent financial filter on the investor’s side. We separate the projects that deserve your partners’ time from attractive but weak materials: we check the logic, market, economics, use of funds and risks, and prepare an investment memo with a “proceed / reject / request data” recommendation. The decision stays with the investor.

on the investor’s sideindependent of the founder
investment memoa decision document
3 levelsfrom quick filter to full review
deal flowone-off or ongoing

Where we save an investor’s time

There are many applications and decks and little partner time. The aim is not to review more projects but to separate investable cases from ones that look strong and are weak underneath — faster. We do not compete with the fund or investor or make decisions for them; we strengthen their process where a financial review and a decision document are needed.

What we check

  1. Consistency of the materials: do the numbers in the deck, model and description match.
  2. Red flags and overstatements.
  3. Hidden assumptions in revenue, timing and costs.
  4. Use of funds and the milestones the money has to cover.
  5. Questions worth asking the founder.

Working formats

  1. One-off project review: an assessment and investment memo on a specific deal.
  2. An ongoing filter for your deal flow: criteria aligned with your investment thesis, a single intake questionnaire, initial screening and “review / reject” statuses.
  3. Structuring deal terms on the investor’s side: instrument, valuation, milestones, rights.
  4. After the decision — monitoring project delivery and financial strengthening of the portfolio company.
  5. An independent second opinion for a board or investment committee before a deal.
Vladislav Panchenko, Founder and CEO of Finetic Consulting

Who does the review

Vladislav Panchenko

Founder and CEO of Finetic Consulting

Over 30 years of executive experience in corporate finance and operations at major corporations and banks with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion: financial management, strategic planning, risk management and corporate restructuring.

30+ years in financeMaster’s in EconomicsFinance MBA
About the team →

Packages

Package A

Quick filter

about 8–15 hours per project
  • Work with the materials already available
  • Idea, monetisation, market, basic economics and investment terms
  • Red flags: amateurism, absurd economics, signs of fraud
  • Decision: proceed / watch / reject

Not included: contact with the founder and no third-party checks

Discuss package A →
Recommended
Package B

Investment assessment

about 23–33 hours
  • Data checklist and requests to the founder through you
  • Business model, product and pricing, sales plan, basic financial model
  • Economic attractiveness of the founder’s offer
  • Internal review by a second consultant
  • Assessment for the investment committee

Not included: in-depth scenario analysis of the model

Discuss package B
Package C

Pre-investment review

about 36–51 hours
  • Formulas and structure of the financial model, scenarios, sensitivity
  • Review of the tax structure and risks
  • Alternative deal structures and terms
  • Negotiating position and a brief for due diligence

Not included: legal due diligence

Discuss package C →

Each package includes everything in the previous one. For a regular deal flow — a retainer or a fee per memo. We quote the price after the introductory call.

How it works

Introductory call, 15–30 minutesinvestment focus, deal flow, format
We fix the criteria, package, timing and price
We receive the project materials; in packages B and C we request data from the founder
Review and internal check
Investment memo, recommendation and questions for the founder

What clients say

We came to Finetic Consulting for a business plan and financial model for our project IMSKIPPER.NET. We liked how quickly Vladislav prepares documents and how deeply he works them through. It is comfortable to work together: every question can be discussed at online meetings while the work is in progress.
Georgy Im, owner of IMSKIPPER · Translated from Russian.

What we do not promise

  • We do not make the investment decision for the investor: we provide an independent assessment and a recommendation.
  • We do not guarantee the fund’s interest in a project or the project’s success.
  • Deep due diligence only as a separate scope; legal review is for lawyers.

15–30 minutes: your investment focus, deal flow and working format. We quote the price after the call.

Frequently asked questions

What is an investment memo?

A short decision document: the essence of the project, what was checked, strengths, red flags and hidden assumptions, questions for the founder and a recommendation — proceed, reject or request data.

How much does a project review for an investor cost?

It depends on depth: quick filter, investment assessment or pre-investment review. For a regular deal flow — a retainer or a fee per memo. We quote the price after the introductory call.

Do you work with funds or private investors?

Both: funds, investment platforms, business angels, boards of directors and private investors who need an independent view of a project before investing.

Can you handle our whole deal flow?

Yes. We formalise criteria aligned with your investment thesis, set up an intake questionnaire and run initial screening: a short note and a status for each project.

How is this different from full due diligence?

A project review answers whether it is worth spending time and money on the project and on what terms. Full due diligence is a detailed pre-signing check, usually with lawyers and auditors; in package C we prepare the brief for it.

en