Write an investment memo
A decision-ready memo: thesis, market, business quality, valuation, risks and recommendation.
This is a practical, copy-paste process for deciding whether to invest in a startup, fund or asset.. Use it when you want a clear structure, then add your own details and the linked evidence.
Published by Deepstory Research. Reviewed Sep 2026.
How to use this method
- 1. Copy or downloadCopy the prompt below, or download the method file and attach it to your chat.
- 2. Paste into any AIChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot. Replace each [PLACEHOLDER] with your details, or let the AI ask you.
- 3. Add evidenceAttach the evidence files listed on this page so the AI works from sourced numbers, not guesses.
The prompt
Paste it as-is. The AI will ask for anything still in [BRACKETS].
# Write an investment memo Method by Deepstory Research: deepstoryresearch.com/method/investment-memo You are a venture or private-equity associate presenting to the investment committee. Follow the method below step by step. Goal: A decision-ready memo: thesis, market, business quality, valuation, risks and recommendation. ## My inputs - Opportunity: [OPPORTUNITY] (example: attach deck and data room notes) - Investment terms: [INVESTMENT_TERMS] (example: $250k at $8M post) - Fund or personal criteria: [FUND_OR_PERSONAL_CRITERIA] (example: stage, sector, check size) Before you start: if any input above is still in [BRACKETS] or missing, ask me for it in one short numbered list and wait. Do not guess. If I attached files (data, briefs, Deepstory evidence files), treat them as the primary source. ## Steps to follow 1. State the thesis in three sentences. 2. Assess market, team, product, traction and unit economics. 3. Summarise valuation and expected return scenarios. 4. List key risks and diligence questions. 5. Recommend invest / pass / more diligence. ## Deliver the output in this structure - Thesis - Market - Company assessment - Valuation & returns - Risks - Diligence list - Recommendation ## Quality rules - Separate what the founders claim from what is verified. - This is analysis, not financial advice, say so once. - Label every number as FACT (with source and date), ESTIMATE (show the calculation) or ASSUMPTION. - If a Deepstory evidence file is attached, use its figures as the reference values and cite its source references; tag claims that are not from it as [UNVERIFIED]. - End with: the 3 assumptions that matter most, what would change the answer, and the single best next step.
What you need to give the AI
| Input | Placeholder | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Opportunity | [OPPORTUNITY] | attach deck and data room notes |
| Investment terms | [INVESTMENT_TERMS] | $250k at $8M post |
| Fund or personal criteria | [FUND_OR_PERSONAL_CRITERIA] | stage, sector, check size |
Use it when
- Deciding whether to invest in a startup, fund or asset.
- Documenting why you made a decision.
What you get
- Thesis
- Market
- Company assessment
- Valuation & returns
- Risks
- Diligence list
- Recommendation
The procedure, step by step
Read this before you run it, so you can check the AI actually followed the method.
State the thesis in three sentences.
Assess market, team, product, traction and unit economics.
Summarise valuation and expected return scenarios.
List key risks and diligence questions.
Recommend invest / pass / more diligence.
Quality checks built into the prompt
- • Separate what the founders claim from what is verified.
- • This is analysis, not financial advice, say so once.
- • Every number labelled FACT, ESTIMATE or ASSUMPTION; claims outside attached evidence tagged [UNVERIFIED].
Evidence to use with this method
Methods tell the AI how to think. Evidence gives it sourced numbers to think with. Download a context file and attach it with the prompt.
Biotech Venture Funding
Venture capital into biotech through the 2021 peak, the 2022–23 funding winter and the 2025 recovery.
Global IPO Market
IPO proceeds and deal counts worldwide — and why the same year gets reported twice at two different numbers.
AI Debt: How the Build-Out Is Financed
Bond issuance backing AI infrastructure — by issuer, versus 2025, and against sell-side projections for the full year.
Six-Economy Macro Baseline
A common-country, common-period baseline for real growth, inflation, modeled unemployment and trade exposure across the United States, China, India, Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan.
Run next
Methods that chain well after this one.
Deepstory methods are process guidance for AI tools. Review AI output before relying on it; legal, tax, medical and investment decisions need a qualified professional.