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Evaluation2 min read

Evaluating a business before you engage

A good desk-based review before signing an NDA filters out most poor opportunities without spending a penny on advisers.

Reviewed by Valius AdvisoryUpdated Autumn 2026Evaluate track (Opportunity to offer)

What You Can Learn Before an NDA

Before you ask a seller for anything confidential, there is a surprising amount you can find out on your own. Filed accounts at Companies House give you turnover, profit trends and balance sheet strength going back several years, even for small private companies filing abbreviated accounts.

Beyond the accounts, look at the company's online footprint: website content and how current it looks, Google and Trustpilot reviews, employee numbers on LinkedIn compared with what the seller claims, and any local press coverage. A business that looks dormant online but claims strong growth deserves a harder look before you go further.

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