---
license: cc-by-4.0
language:
  - en
pretty_name: Startup Application Evidence Gate Template
tags:
  - startups
  - fundraising
  - accelerators
  - due-diligence
  - evidence
  - csv
configs:
  - config_name: template
    data_files:
      - split: train
        path: startup-application-evidence-gate-template.csv
  - config_name: fictional-example
    data_files:
      - split: train
        path: fictional-example.csv
  - config_name: data-dictionary
    data_files:
      - split: train
        path: data-dictionary.csv
---

# Startup Application Evidence Gate Template

An accelerator, incubator or funding application is easier to repair when each
requirement stays attached to its evidence, date, state, owner and remaining
human decision. This open CSV resource gives pre-seed and seed founders 23
starter gates for that review.

Programme criteria differ. These rows are not universal eligibility rules.
Replace, add or remove gates to match the programme's published requirements.

## Files

- `startup-application-evidence-gate-template.csv` contains 23 starter gates in
  the `missing` state.
- `fictional-example.csv` demonstrates all six evidence states with synthetic
  company data.
- `data-dictionary.csv` defines the 15 fields and their allowed values.
- `LICENSE.md` contains the CC BY 4.0 licence notice.

## Evidence States

- `supported`: the cited evidence supports the stated requirement and is
  current for this review.
- `partial`: some required support exists, but a named part is absent.
- `missing`: no reviewable evidence reference is recorded.
- `conflicting`: two or more sources disagree.
- `stale`: the evidence is older than the selected freshness window.
- `not_applicable`: a named reviewer has recorded why the gate does not apply.

The state belongs to the evidence record. It is not an acceptance prediction.
The `reviewer_decision` field keeps the human decision separate from the state.

## Suggested Workflow

1. Copy the template into a private working location.
2. Replace the starter requirements with the programme's exact published
   criteria.
3. Keep confidential company material out of a public copy. Use internal
   references or redacted artefacts where appropriate.
4. Record the evidence date and hash so later changes are visible.
5. Pair every non-supported state with one specific next artefact.
6. Leave eligibility and the final go or no-go decision to the named human
   reviewer.

## Limits

This template does not verify an evidence file, decide programme eligibility,
predict acceptance, calculate a DDScore, provide investment advice or replace a
programme reviewer, founder judgement, investor judgement or full due
diligence. The fictional example is synthetic. It contains no real company or
personal data.

For a separate outside first pass, DDScore turns submitted private-company
materials into a structured 0–100 Due Diligence Score and full written report
across 12 dimensions. It checks relevant claims against current public sources
and shows confidence and gaps.

Disclosure: I work on DDScore at Playful Pixels Oy.

[See DDScore for founders](https://www.ddscore.ai/for-founder/?utm_source=hugging-face&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ddscore-30d-jul-2026&utm_content=startup-application-evidence-gate-template-a)