CMC Library Ledger

Research Tips for Small Companies

Big companies like Apple and Walmart are easy to research, with plenty of news articles and profiles about them to choose from. But how do you research small companies that are still private and aren’t yet making headlines? Don’t despair, there are still plenty of ways to find information for small companies and new startups!

Top Databases for Small Companies

• PitchBook – great for PE or VC-funded startups; company profiles link to available news articles about the company, plus a list of similar companies, contact information, and financials; Research Center has industry and private market reports

• CB Insights – profiles on startups and helpful research/trends reports, particularly in tech; company profiles include competitors and news articles

• PrivCo – great private company financial data for mid-size private companies, recent M&A deals and funding rounds

• American City Business Journals – helpful for tracking down local news coverage of small companies in specific cities

It may seem obvious, but most companies also have their own website, which can have valuable information you don’t want to miss. The same goes for any social media presence the company has, particularly LinkedIn and Twitter.

And don’t forget to do industry research! When there’s not a lot of information about the company available, it becomes even more important to understand the outlook for the industry and the competitive landscape. Doing research into the company’s competitors, particularly the larger and more established ones with more accessible information about them, can also be majorly helpful.

Top Databases for Industry Research:

• IBISWorld – highly detailed, comprehensive industry profiles; don’t miss the At A Glance summaries with industry threats/opportunities SWOT analysis and the and the call prep questions at the end of the reports

• Statista – granular market research and statistics on over 600 industries; sometimes includes dossiers on subsidiaries of larger companies, like Hulu and LinkedIn

• EMIS (Emerging Markets Information Service) – great for global and international industry reports; covers more niche or specific industries that may not be found elsewhere

Don’t stress out, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the CMC Library for help!