10 Documents Every Company Raising Capital Must Have
Capital Raising And Investor Readiness

10 Documents Every Company Raising Capital Must Have

Whether you are raising equity, structured debt, private credit, or project finance capital, investors and lenders expect a disciplined document package. Incomplete files delay decisions. Poorly prepared files trigger rejections. This checklist reflects what institutional capital providers review before committing funds.

1. Executive Summary

A concise, 2–4 page overview of the transaction, capital required, use of proceeds, business model, and repayment or exit strategy. This is often the first document screened internally before deeper review.

2. Investment Memorandum Or CIM

The Confidential Information Memorandum presents the opportunity in structured detail. It should include market positioning, competitive landscape, revenue model, historical performance, risk factors, and capital structure. For commercial real estate and project finance transactions, it must also include asset-level detail and cash flow assumptions.

3. Financial Model

A dynamic, auditable financial model showing historical performance and forward projections. Institutional investors expect scenario sensitivity, assumptions transparency, and alignment between projections and use of funds.

4. Historical Financial Statements

Audited or management-prepared financials covering at least two to three years, where available. Lenders assess margin stability, revenue concentration, working capital cycles, and debt service capacity.

5. Capitalization Table

A current cap table outlining equity ownership, options, convertible instruments, and prior rounds. For private placements, clarity on dilution and post-money structure is essential.

6. Use Of Proceeds Breakdown

A precise allocation of capital deployment. Institutional capital providers assess whether the requested raise aligns with operational needs, acquisition strategy, or development milestones.

7. Data Room Index

A structured data room table of contents showing legal documents, contracts, leases, permits, intellectual property, and material agreements. Organized disclosure improves investor confidence and accelerates diligence.

8. Legal And Regulatory Documentation

Incorporation documents, shareholder agreements, licenses, permits, and compliance records. For regulated sectors such as energy or financial services, proof of authorization is mandatory.

9. Risk Disclosure And Mitigation Plan

A structured overview of operational, market, regulatory, and execution risks, alongside mitigation strategies. Institutional investors evaluate whether risk is acknowledged and managed, not ignored.

10. Term Sheet Or Offering Structure

Clear articulation of security type, valuation or pricing logic, coupon or return profile, covenants, and investor rights. For private placement memorandum preparation, these elements define investor expectations before subscription.

A professional capital raise is document-driven. Investors assess preparedness before opportunity. A complete and coherent file significantly improves credibility and response quality.
Informational content only. Capital raising activities may require regulatory compliance depending on jurisdiction and investor classification.
Commercial transactions only. Outcomes depend on independent investor or lender evaluation and regulatory compliance where applicable.