How can I find private or small company information?

Answered By: Coleen Neary

Last Updated: Jul 24, 2024 Views: 69

Private company shares are held by a small group of investors and are not publicly traded. Private company are NOT regulated by the SEC, so they are not compelled to disclose the same information.

Private company research is trickier than public company research. Company website, directories and news stories may be the main sources. All 50 states make some level of corporate and business filings available online.

Try contacting the company as they might be willing to share information. Also do a web search to locate the company's website.

Here are some tips:

Some company websites have an About Us, Investor Relations or Annual Reports section where you might find useful details about their financials or operations. Check the website's main navigation, or search inside the site.
Check for press releases or a news section for information about company financials and activities.
If all else fails, locate contact information for the company. Explain that you are a college student working on a course assignment, and request access to any relevant information that they can provide. Keep in mind that they may take some time to respond, and/or they may not be able to provide information, depending upon their staffing and policies.

Using Library Databases

The library's business online databases contain profiles of private and public companies. The private company information is limited but may include sales and employment estimates or reported data.

Private company information can turn up in news stories or articles. Searching articles may help in locating information about a company's new products and services to financial figures.

Business Source Complete

Business Source Complete is an excellent place to search for company news:
1. In the first search bar, type in the company's name.
2. To do an even more specific search, change the drop-down menu to show CO Company Entity.

Nexis Uni

Formerly Lexis-Nexis Academic, Nexis Uni contains company profiles and more. Keep in mind that not all private companies will show up, and when they do, there will likely be limited information available.
1. On the Nexis Uni homepage, select the Companies menu.
2. Find the Dossier box and click Find Company
3. Search for the company by name, ticker and any other details that you have.
4. Select the correct company, and once in the dossier, navigate throughout using the menu on the left.

See also: Finding Company Information