Key takeaways
- Cite where each observed value came from: slide, call or document.
- Unknown becomes a question. Mismatch goes to a person.
- Keep fit, evidence quality and readiness separate; one number hides too much.
- Write the reason for every decision, especially overrides.
Deal screening scorecard to copy
Fill Part 1 from the deck and application, then decide Part 2 and Part 4 yourself.
DEAL SCREENING SCORECARD Company: [ ] Reviewer: [ ] Date: [ ] Thesis version: [ ] Results: Met / Mismatch / Unknown. Unknown is a question to ask, not a fail. Mismatch goes to a person for review. PART 1: THESIS CRITERIA Criterion | Rule | Observed | Source (slide, call, doc) | Result Stage | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] Geography | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] Customer and sector | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] Business model | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] Round and cheque fit | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] [Your preference] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] PART 2: THREE READINGS (keep them separate) Thesis fit: Strong / Partial / Weak Why: [ ] Evidence quality: Strong / Partial / Weak Why: [ ] (are key numbers defined and sourced?) Diligence readiness: Ready / Some gaps / Not yet Why: [ ] (could we start diligence next week?) PART 3: QUESTIONS FOR THE FOUNDER From each Unknown above: 1. [ ] 2. [ ] 3. [ ] PART 4: DECISION (made by a person) [ ] Advance to first meeting [ ] Ask questions first [ ] Pass [ ] Revisit on [date] Reason in one or two sentences: [ ] If this overrides a criterion result, say which and why: [ ] Decided by: [ ] NOT SCORED Founder age, gender, school or former employer brand, accent, fluency, appearance or presentation polish.
Why the scorecard has no total score
A single score mixes three different questions: should we look, can we trust the numbers, and could we start diligence now. A company can fit the thesis well with thin evidence, or have excellent evidence and sit outside the thesis. Keeping the readings apart tells the next reviewer what to do, not just how the company ranked.
What to change
- Copy the criteria from your written thesis, in the same order and wording.
- Add an exceptions line if your thesis allows them, with who may approve one.
- Accelerators can add programme fit, such as availability for the cohort dates.
- Pin the thesis version, so a later re-screen can be compared fairly.
What to leave out
Leave out anything that scores the person rather than the company: age, gender, school or employer brand, accent, fluency, appearance or presentation polish. These are listed on the scorecard as not scored, so reviewers can see the rule. Also leave out criteria you can't observe from an application; they only produce Unknowns.
Scoring with or without Delsivo
A spreadsheet row per deal works. Delsivo's fit report, part of thesis screening planned for the Pilot release, is designed to fill Part 1 with each criterion's rule, observed value, rationale and source, show the three readings separately, and require a reason for every override. A person decides each stage change.