What We Do

Experience tells us that having the comfort of making decisions based on solid understanding of the digital and business landscapes significantly increases chances of overall success of the investment. That is why Unicornly favours a holistic, A-Z approach to Tech Due Diligence.

The process of assessment is always well-planned and thought-through. From day 1, starting by understanding the investment or acquisition thesis, we keep the goals and expectations of stakeholders in mind. Then, moving towards technology, talent and processes, we evaluate them against desired outcomes. In a 360-Degree approach, we assess 12 areas including architecture, codebase, infrastructure, security, technical team, processes, IP & open source, product strategy, user experience, customer acquisition, customer retention and market & competition.

As a result, we identify risks that could potentially impact meeting business objectives of the transaction. We put a spotlight on adding extra value and highlighting opportunities that may increase ROI and accelerate growth. Thanks to that, PE, VC and corporate investors can make risk-proof decisions based on solid and comprehensive assessments.

Included in the Tech DD Report:

Executive Summary. Clear, structured and concise overview of the most critical findings.
Detailed Report. A list of observations, remarks, risks, opportunities and recommendations for adding value.
100-day Plan. A clear timeline, prioritization of tasks and suggestion of next steps.

Unicornly acted as a technical due diligence vendor on a transaction supporting our growth strategy. The team was extremely professional and flagged important issues. I would certainly recommend them to any company that is considering buying a tech-enabled business.

Michael Thain
Tech Director at ZX Ventures

Technology

As a part of the assessment, we put a spotlight on the tech part of the business. We analyze architecture and infrastructure to validate its performance and scalability. We take a close look at the codebase, bearing in mind the quality and security of the code to understand potential vulnerabilities. We also assess IP and Open Source components, to get the widest possible perspective of technology solutions in use.

People & Processes

During our Tech DDs, we pay special attention to people. We assess the technical team and its composition, organization and competence. We evaluate a company's culture and how it attracts and retains talent. We understand HR processes, to suggest best practices and ways to improve. Also, product and software development processes are assessed, including methodologies and tools.

Digital Strategy

Assessing digital strategy is an important part of the Tech DD. We focus attention on product vision, strategy and roadmap to see if it's reasonable, feasible and aligned with sales targets. We go through customer acquisition plans to understand the growth potential, with particular emphasis on user retention, engagement and upselling. Moreover, we perform market analysis to identify opportunities for disruption and to properly position the brand.