What We Do

Experience tells us that having the comfort of making decisions based on a solid understanding of the digital and business landscapes significantly increases the chances of the overall success of an investment. This is why Unicornly favors a holistic, A-Z approach to tech due diligence.

The assessment process 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, we evaluate the technology, talent and processes against the desired outcomes. We assess 12 areas using a 360-degree approach, 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 a transaction’s business objectives. We put a spotlight on adding extra value and highlighting opportunities that may increase ROI and accelerate growth. Thanks to this, PE, VC and corporate investors can make risk-proof decisions based on solid and comprehensive assessments.

Included in the tech due diligence report:

Executive Summary. A 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 showing prioritization of tasks and suggestions for next steps.

Unicornly acted as a technical due diligence vendor on a transaction that supported 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 our 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 quality and security of the codebase to understand potential vulnerabilities. We also assess IP and open source components to get the widest possible perspective of the technology solutions in use.

People & Processes

During our evaluations, 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 in order to suggest best practices and ways to improve. Product and software development processes are also assessed, including methodologies and tools.

Digital Strategy

Assessing digital strategy is an important part of tech DD. We focus attention on a product’s vision, strategy and roadmap to determine whether it is 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.