AI Due Diligence
A senior advisor who actually reads the code. And actually talks to the founder.
Investment scaled to technical complexity · Custom mini-proposal in 24h (VC) or 48h (founder) · 1-2 weeks
Same format, two viewpoints
VC variant: you're about to invest €1-15M in an AI startup and want to know if the "AI moat" is real or if it's an OpenAI wrapper with a creative prompt. Output: 15-25 page report with tech assessment, team capability, competitive moat, risk register, technical perspective on unit economics.
Founder variant: you're about to close a Series A or B and want to anticipate the tech DD's objections before they cost you a lower valuation. Same format as the VC report + stress test session with your CTO.
In 2026, 75% of VC reviews incorporate AI tools. But Italian funds don't have internal tech advisors. It's an under-covered market.
What the report contains
- Tech assessment: models used, AI infrastructure architecture, critical third-party dependencies, code state (readability, tests, technical debt, scalability)
- Team capability review: skills mapped to responsibilities, critical team gaps, real track record of senior tech, team culture
- Competitive moat analysis: what's actually defensible (proprietary data, custom-trained models), what's NOT (creative prompt, UI layer), replicability
- Compliance & governance: GDPR, AI Act, sectoral norms. Data licensing. Bias detection, documentation, audit trail
- Risk register: lock-in, scaling cost, regulatory exposure, talent risk. For each: probability, impact, mitigation
- Technical perspective on unit economics: inference cost per user/transaction, sensitivity to AI provider pricing changes, real margin
How the 7-10 days unfold
Days 1-2 — Setup & access
Kickoff with the client. Scope definition. Access to repositories, documentation, team. Bilateral NDA signed.
Days 3-5 — Deep dive
Critical code reading. 1:1 interviews with senior tech. Functional tests on a representative use case. Verification of the most important pitch deck claims.
Days 6-8 — Analysis & writing
Risk register, tech assessment, moat evaluation. Report drafting.
Days 9-10 — Delivery & debrief
Report delivered as PDF + 90-minute debrief session. For founder variant: additional 90-minute stress test session with the CTO.
This service is for you if
- VC side: you're partner or associate at an Italian or European fund doing AI deals without internal tech advisor
- VC side: you're about to make a Series A, B, or growth investment in an AI-native startup
- Founder side: you're closing a Series A or B on an AI-first product
- Founder side: you have a competent CTO with limited target-side tech DD experience
Who it's not for
- Pre-seed or seed with too small a team (the fee isn't justified)
- Non-AI or marginal-AI companies (AI use case < 30% of product)
- Those looking for a "rubber stamp" — the report is substantive and not bound to a predetermined outcome
How the investment works
Discovery / scoping call (30 minutes, free): we define variant (VC-side or founder-side), target technical perimeter, realistic calendar.
Written mini-proposal in 24 hours (VC variant) or 48 hours (founder variant): scope, deliverables, exact investment calibrated to technical complexity of the target.
Bilateral NDA + access to materials: kickoff within 48 hours of SOW signature.
Payment: 100% at kickoff. VC timelines don't allow two tranches. For founders requesting it, 50/50 payment is possible.
Investment scales to target complexity: number of AI systems under the hood, breadth of team to interview, depth of required code review. DD on early-stage and growth-stage startups have different technical scope.
Volume discounts for VCs with continuous relationship: 3 deals in the same year → 10% on the third. 5+ deals → dedicated retainer rate.
Frequently asked questions
Are seven days enough for serious DD?
For early-stage startups with clear scope, yes. For growth-stage, a second week may be needed. The DD doesn't replace legal DD or financial DD.
Are you in conflict if you advise a startup and then run DD on a competitor?
No, and I declare it explicitly. I keep a conflict-of-interest map and — if I detect overlap — I decline the deal.
Can I use the report in materials for the investment committee?
Yes, that's one of the intended uses. For the founder variant, it can be shared with VCs as "pre-emptive DD".
What happens if you find something critical during DD?
I tell you immediately, not at delivery. If it's a finding that could kill the deal, you need to know within 24-48 hours.
Deal timelines are tight. Let's start with a call.
Fill in the pre-qualification form (5 questions, two minutes). Thirty minutes of scoping to determine variant (VC or founder), technical scope, realistic calendar. The call costs nothing — and if the DD doesn't materialize, I'll tell you what to look for anyway before closing the deal.
Request a proposal