Business Research Toolkit: U.S. Private Companies & Startups

U.S. private companies are not traded on any stock exchange and are not required to file detailed financials with the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). Thus, information is sparse and difficult to find. Most companies in the U.S. are privately held. Researching private companies requires out-of-the-box thinking and an understanding that it will likely be hard to find information beyond name and location. 

• Step 1: Under Basic Search make sure D&B Private Company Database is checked. 
• Step 2: Type the company you're looking for in the Company Search box. A dropdown of options will appear. 
• Step 3: Choose the correct company from the dropdown list.
• Step 4: You will be taken to the default tab, Company Details. Click on the Reports tab. 
• Step 5: Click on the report you would like to view. Note: Company Reports selections are in PDF format. In order to view PDF selections, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader

• When it comes to researching private companies, the first place to look would be the company's web page if they have one. Never underestimate the information that companies publish on their own web sites. Even if some companies use their web pages as glorified catalogs, brochures, or advertisements how they present that information may still be helpful. Often, for private companies, their web pages may be what provides the most information.