How to check that private company data is current
Check a private company record against the filing or register behind it before you use it. Outdated information is the top PitchBook complaint on G2, raised 36 times among 262 reviews (G2, October 2026). The 5 checks below take about 20 minutes and use free public sources.
Why do private company records go stale?
Records go stale because private companies report little, and databases update when they find a new event. Users of paid databases describe a private equity owner still listed after a sale, management teams that have moved on and companies shown as active after they closed (Tamarly Research coding of G2 reviews, October 2026). Each check below targets one of those failures. For the full review tally, see what PitchBook users say.
Step 1. Confirm the company still exists
Search the company's register. In the UK, Companies House shows whether a company is active, in liquidation or dissolved, with the date. In the US, the state of incorporation's register shows good standing. If the register says dissolved, stop: the database record is out of date. See how to research a UK company on Companies House.
Step 2. Check the legal entity record
Look up the company in the GLEIF LEI search. An LEI record shows the legal name, address and, where reported, the direct and ultimate parent. Check the record's status: a lapsed LEI means the entity has not renewed it, which is often a sign of a sale, merger or wind-down. See how to find a company's LEI.
Step 3. Check who owns it now
Ownership changes are the most common stale field. Search SEC EDGAR full-text search for the company name to find merger filings, Form D notices and mentions in buyers' reports. In the UK, the Companies House "People with significant control" tab shows current controllers with the date each was notified. See how to find who owns a company.
Step 4. Check the latest fundraising
A new Form D shows that a US company sold securities recently. Issuers must file within 15 days of the first sale (17 CFR 230.503), so the filing date tells you how recent the round is. Compare it with the last round in your database. See how to read a Form D filing.
Step 5. Check the management team
Compare the officers in your database with the latest register filing. Companies House lists current officers and resignations with dates. In the US, the most recent Form D names executive officers and directors at the time of filing. If the names differ, the register is more recent.
What should you do when sources disagree?
Trust the most recent official record over a database field, and note its date. A register or regulator filing is a primary source; a database value is a copy of one. Record the source and date next to each figure you use, so a reader can check it later.
| Field | Best public check | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Company still active | Register status | Companies House, state register |
| Legal parent | LEI record | GLEIF |
| Current owner | Merger filings, significant control | SEC EDGAR, Companies House |
| Last raise | Form D filing date | SEC EDGAR |
| Officers | Officer list, Form D | Companies House, SEC EDGAR |
Where does Tamarly Intelligence fit?
Tamarly Intelligence is Tamarly's research platform on companies, funds, countries and markets, built from official filings and open data. Every figure links to the filing or record it came from, so you see the source and its date without repeating these checks by hand. It draws on SEC EDGAR, GLEIF and UK Companies House, and when it does not cover a company it says so.
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Frequently asked questions
Is PitchBook data accurate?
Users rate it 4.5 out of 5 on G2, but outdated information is the most counted complaint, with 36 mentions (G2, October 2026). Check ownership and status fields against registers before you rely on them.
How can I tell if a private company has been sold?
Search SEC EDGAR for merger filings that name it, check the parent on its GLEIF record and, for UK companies, the significant control tab on Companies House.
How do I know if a private company is still operating?
Check its status on the company register. Companies House shows active, in liquidation or dissolved, with the date of each change.
About the author. Melvine Manchau is the founder of Tamarly and author of the Tamarly Newsletter. He previously worked at PwC, Salesforce, BlackRock/eFront and Lazard.
About Tamarly Research. Tamarly Research is part of Tamarly Media, which holds no investment positions. Tamarly is a New York research house that studies how AI is changing regulated institutions.