Marketing

Researching private companies is more challenging, since they are usually not required to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  There are a few things you will need to keep in mind:

• You will not always find financial reports on private companies.
• You may need to accept a revenue range or estimate, company ranking by revenue, or even inferred revenue based on information known or presumed.
• There is usually less published about smaller companies than larger companies.

Searching for Private/Small Companies Best Practices:

• Look at the company directory, which provides basic company information and some may provide estimated revenue.  The company's website may have some helpful information on the About page.  Feel free to contact the company with questions or even to request a Zoom or phone interview.

• Check the database, ProQuest Business One, which has many company profiles and financials.  You can also use this database to look for articles on your company. 

• Browse local media, such as local newspapers and magazines for information on your company in Regional Business News or US Newsstream.

• Private companies may file some SEC reports,  in which case,  they would need to file Registration Statements (usually S Forms) and sometimes 10-Q Reports.  Search the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system.

• Small companies may have made an Initial Public Offering (IPO) or are in the process. If so, you can check the NASDAQ.