Due diligence, often shortened to "DD," is the process investors use to evaluate whether a company or opportunity is worth backing. The process is not the same for every deal. The depth and focus of an investor's review can vary based on the type of investment, the stage of the company, and the people involved. Understanding which "room" you are in helps you ask the right questions at the right time.
This session is designed for investors at every level. Whether you are exploring your first opportunity or have already made several investments, you will leave with practical, plain-English guidance you can apply right away.
Attendees will learn:
What due diligence is and why it matters
How the process differs across investment opportunities
The business and operational questions experienced investors ask before committing capital
The legal considerations that matter to both investors and founders
About the Speakers
Tomi Lynn Smith is an entrepreneur and early-stage investor with more than 25 years of experience building companies and evaluating which are worth backing. She built Kinderland, a preschool serving over 300 families, and sold it in 2015. She later founded SES Energy and Beanstalk Partners. Tomi is part of the NW Angel Fund team, where she helps raise capital and evaluate portfolio companies, and serves as COO/System Integrator at Ecosystem Venture Group, supporting founders and investors alike. She is known for connecting the right opportunities with the right people at the right time.
Sue Crismon is an attorney, entrepreneur, and founder of Mihi Systems, a technology company developing privacy-first AI infrastructure. Her legal career has centered on public-interest law, policy development, and regulatory innovation. She has served as Director of Pro Bono at Utah Legal Services, trial attorney with the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association, and Executive Director of the Utah Supreme Court's Office of Legal Services Innovation. She teaches Poverty Law at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law and has served as general counsel to several startups. As a founder, Sue understands the investment process from the company's perspective as well as the investor's.
Who Should Attend
All are welcome, particularly those who are new to investing. No financial background is required. Join us for a thoughtful discussion, a chance to ask questions, and an opportunity to connect with other women who are learning and investing together.
WHEN AND WHERE
Friday, October 2 from 12:00 - 1:30 PM.
Maven Create Boardroom 177 E 900 S