Reference Source
- Type: Uploaded artifact (two reference PDFs)
- Reference artifact type: PDF
- Reference File Type: PDF
- Primary language: English (Latin script)
- Reference fonts: Times New Roman (narrative memo), Helvetica (deal memo)
Supported Outputs
| Format | Support |
|---|---|
| DOCX | Primary (default) |
| Supported | |
| PPTX | Supported (summary/deck format only) |
Default output: DOCX unless user explicitly requests another format.
Output Philosophy
Investment memos from both references are plain, text-first documents — black text on white paper, no cover page, no colored backgrounds, no styled boxes, no decorative elements. The formatting should be invisible; the analysis should carry all the weight.
Workflow Overview
- Determine memo type — thematic memo (default) vs. venture deal memo vs. public equity memo
- Gather inputs — company name, ticker, sector, data the user provides
- Conduct analysis using
references/analysis_framework.md - Draft content following
references/structure_contract.md - Apply formatting per
references/style_contract.md - Produce artifact in requested format (DOCX default)
Memo Type Selection
| Trigger phrase / context | Memo type | Primary reference | Heading style |
|---|---|---|---|
| "investment thesis on AI", "write about sector/theme", "market outlook", "bubble?" | Thematic memo | Narrative style | Underlined |
| "invest in [company]", "deal memo", "VC memo", "seed/Series A" | Venture deal memo | Deal style | Bold |
| "stock analysis", "equity research", "public company" | Public equity memo | Hybrid | Underlined or Bold |
| "due diligence", "DD memo", "investment committee" | IC memo | Deal style | Bold |
Critical Style Rules
Read references/style_contract.md for the full specification. These rules are non-negotiable:
- NO COVER PAGE — document starts immediately with the memo header block
- NO COLOR — strictly black text on white background throughout
- Times New Roman (or equivalent serif) for ALL text — body, headings, quotes, footer, captions
- NO running headers — blank page headers
- NO styled boxes, borders, or background fills — no gray backgrounds, no colored accent bars
- NO decorative elements — no geometric shapes, no badges, no styled quote blocks with left borders
- Quote blocks: simple indented italic text, no border or background
- NO formal tables — present data as inline text or bullet lists; tables only when absolutely necessary with minimal formatting
- Footer: copyright notice left, page number centered, "All Rights Reserved" right
Section Heading Style
For narrative/thematic memos (default):
- Use underlined text on its own line:
Understanding AI,Can AI Think? - NOT numbered, NOT bold, NOT large font — same size as body text with underline
For structured deal memos:
- Use bold text on its own line:
Introduction,Competition,Deal Terms - NOT numbered, NOT displayed in large font
Structure Contract
Read references/structure_contract.md for the full document structure including section hierarchy, header/footer rules, page break behavior, and the three memo type templates.
Key structural rules:
- No table of contents
- No executive summary for thematic memos (opening paragraph serves this purpose)
- Continuous text flow between sections — no forced page breaks
- Legal disclaimers at the end, separated by a horizontal rule, in italic
- Exhibits numbered sequentially: Exhibit 1, Exhibit 2, etc.
Voice & Tone Guidelines
Narrative/Thematic Memos
Write like a top value/credit investor writing to LPs: first-person, conversational, intellectually honest. Use "I believe", "I've been thinking", "I recently learned". Ask provocative questions. Draw historical parallels. Acknowledge uncertainty.
Deal Memos
Write like a top-tier VC analyst: direct, concise, bullet-oriented. State facts quickly. Lead with recommendation. Every sentence advances the investment case or flags a risk.
Exhibit Guidance
Include exhibits when quantitative analysis strengthens the case:
- Market size/growth as inline text or simple line charts
- Competitive landscape as bullet lists, not matrices
- Financial metrics as bolded inline figures or bullet points
Reference exhibits in text: "(see Exhibit 3)". Keep exhibits simple — plain line charts preferred.
Data Sourcing Strategy
When data is needed:
- Use available financial data sources for public companies (stock prices, financials, ratios)
- Search the web for company-specific information and market data
- Cite sources inline — external data strengthens credibility
- Flag missing data explicitly rather than fabricating numbers
Confidentiality Marking
Add a confidentiality footer only when the memo contains non-public information:
- "Confidential — For Internal Use Only" for IC memos
- "Highly Confidential" for live deal materials
- Omit for public thematic memos intended for broad distribution
Output-Specific Notes
DOCX (Default)
Produce a native Word document with:
- Times New Roman applied consistently to all text elements
- Underlined section headings (narrative) or bold headings (structured)
- Memo header with horizontal rule separator
- Page numbers centered in footer
- Copyright and rights notice in footer
- Left-aligned body text
- Proper bullet list formatting
- Italic indented blocks for quotes
- Horizontal rule before legal disclaimers section
Render the DOCX to PDF preserving all formatting. The result should match the plain, text-first appearance of both reference memos.
PPTX (Summary Deck)
When the user requests a slide deck instead of a memo document:
- Condense each major section to 1-2 slides
- Lead with the investment thesis on the title slide
- Use bullet points, not paragraphs
- Include 1-2 key exhibits per slide
- End with recommendation/next steps slide
- Use Times New Roman throughout, black text on white background, plain formatting