Diligence Readiness Index.
Buyers test four things before they sign: the numbers, the paperwork, the technology and the commercial engine. Answer twenty questions to see how ready each one is today, and which gaps to close first to protect price and timetable.
Answer for your business
Diligence Readiness Index
60
Moderate
A sound base with gaps a buyer will find. Close them before launch to protect price.
- Financial50
- Legal90
- Technical30
- Commercial70
Where to start
Your biggest lever is Technical at 30. Lifting it to 80 raises the index to about 73.
- Financial: Working capital tracked monthly with a clear definition
- Technical: Open-source licences scanned and recorded
- Technical: Key-person knowledge documented beyond the founders
How the index works
Scoring
Each answer scores 0 for not yet, 1 for partly and 2 for ready. Each area is scored out of 100 and the index is the average of the four. Below 50 is Critical, 50 to 79 is Moderate and 80 or more is Optimized.
Why it moves price
Gaps found by a buyer turn into price chips, escrow, specific indemnities or a longer timetable. Gaps found and fixed by you before launch turn into a cleaner process and stronger negotiating position. A structured exit readiness programme (opens in a new tab) closes them in order of value.
Going deeper
Work through every item with the Due Diligence Checklist (opens in a new tab), prepare the code and security review with technical due diligence readiness (opens in a new tab), and set up the data room (opens in a new tab) buyers will work in.
What sellers usually find
Most founder-led businesses score strongest on commercial and weakest on technical or working capital tracking. See the patterns across the market in Digital Business Exit Readiness 2026 (opens in a new tab).
This index is a self-assessment for planning purposes only. Buyer diligence scope varies by deal size, sector and jurisdiction. Results do not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Your accountants and legal counsel should review your readiness before a sale process.
Want a readiness plan built around your score? Acquiry runs the programme with you before buyers arrive.
Buy-side and sell-side mandates across any sector and any market. If it is a real transaction, bring it to us.