Due Diligence Hell

Definition

The special circle of Dante's Inferno where VCs ask increasingly absurd questions about your financial projections, customer concentration, and why your revenue is so lumpy.

Example Usage

We've been in due diligence hell for six weeks, and they're now asking for a detailed explanation of why one customer ordered twice in March.

Origin

Colloquial startup terminology, no formal origin

Fun Fact

Some founders report due diligence processes taking 3-6 months, during which time the company's business has usually changed significantly from what was originally presented

Source: Informal startup terminology

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