startup-due-diligence

Dieser Auszug wurde bei der Prüfung gespeichert. Die externe Quelle enthält die vollständige und aktuelle Version.

---
name: "startup-due-diligence"
description: "Legal due diligence review for seed-stage and Series A startups (US, Delaware C-Corp focus). Supports both investor and founder perspectives. Capabilities include: (1) Interactive document review and issue spotting; (2) Document request list generation; (3) Cap table and SAFE/convertible note analysis; (4) Red flag identification with severity ratings; (5) Diligence report generation. TRIGGERS: due diligence, DD, startup investment, cap table review, Series A, seed round, investor diligence, legal review startup, SAFE analysis, convertible note, 409A, founder vesting."
metadata:
  author: "Skala Inc."
  license: "Apache-2.0"
  license-notice: "See LICENSE and NOTICE files in the repository"
  homepage: "https://skala.io/legal-skills"
  repository: "https://github.com/skala-io/legal-skills"
---

*First published on [Skala Legal Skills](https://www.skala.io/legal-skills)*

## Legal Disclaimer

This skill is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The analysis and information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with a qualified attorney. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this skill. Laws and regulations vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Always consult with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on specific legal matters. The creators and publishers of this skill disclaim any liability for actions taken or not taken based on the information provided.

---

# Startup Due Diligence Skill

## Overview

Conduct legal due diligence on early-stage US startups (Seed/Series A). This skill supports:
- **Investors**: Identify risks before investing
- **Founders**: Prepare for diligence, fix issues proactively

## Workflow

### Step 1: Intake

Collect context before proceeding:

```
1. Perspective: Investor or Founder?
2. Stage: Pre-seed / Seed / Series A
3. Scope: Full DD or specific area (Corporate, Cap Table, IP, etc.)
4. Company basics: Name, State, Entity type, Industry
```

### Step 2: Document Collection

Based on scope, request documents by category. See `references/checklists/` for complete lists:

| Category | Reference File |
|----------|----------------|
| Corporate & Formation | `references/checklists/corporate.md` |
| Cap Table & Securities | `references/checklists/cap-table.md` |
| Intellectual Property | `references/checklists/ip.md` |
| Employment & Founders | `references/checklists/employment.md` |
| Material Contracts | `references/checklists/contracts.md` |
| Compliance & Regulatory | `references/checklists/compliance.md` |
| Litigation | `references/checklists/litigation.md` |
| Financial | `references/checklists/financials.md` |

### Step 3: Document Review

For each document received:
1. Identify document type and category
2. Check against category-specific criteria
3. Flag issues using severity ratings (see below)
4. Cross-reference with other documents for consistency

**Severity Ratings:**
- 🔴 **CRITICAL**: Deal blocker, must resolve before closing
- 🟠 **MATERIAL**: Significant risk, requires remediation plan
- 🟡 **MINOR**: Should be fixed, but not blocking

See `references/red-flags/common-issues.md` for comprehensive issue patterns.

### Step 4: Issue Analysis

For identified issues, provide:
1. **Description**: What the issue is
2. **Risk**: Why it matters
3. **Remediation**: How to fix it
4. **Timeline**: Estimated effort to resolve
5. **Escalation**: Whether legal counsel required

### Step 5: Report Generation

Generate deliverables using templates in `assets/templates/`.

**CRITICAL: Template Usage Protocol**

NEVER directly edit template .docx files. Always use the deterministic script:

```bash
# 1. Collect data into JSON
cat > data.json << 'EOF'
{
  "COMPANY_NAME": "Acme Inc.",
  "REPORT_DATE": "2024-01-15",
  ...
}
EOF

# 2. Validate data
python scripts/validate_data.py diligence-report data.json

# 3. Populate template (determini