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Science & Business Research Guide: Company Research

Library Research

What is Company Research?

There are many reasons you may want to research a company. For example, you may be interested in starting a business in a specific company's industry and you want to learn more about different models of success.

Regardless of the reason, there are some common features you may be looking out for, such as:

  • is the company private or public
  • management/ownership structure
  • key performance indicators (KPIs)
  • financial figures
  • sales and marketing strategy

Crafting your Search

In order to get good company research, we need a good strategy. In this case, a good strategy is comprised of an effective search strategy.


Creating the Strategy

The reality of company research is that not all of the information you may be looking for can be found in one place. Or depending on how public the company is, it may not be found at all. 

In order to find good company research, we need to use a combination of searching the web and traditional databases. 

Looking up the company's name and finding their website might give us key information like:

  • the mission/vision statements
  • letter from CEO
  • annual reports
  • information about key individuals

Using a few traditional databases, like Pitchbook or GlobalData Explorer, might give us information like:

  • SWOT analyses
  • key statistics like the stock exchange history
  • news

In order to demonstrate company research, we will look at the company BioNTech in Pitchbook and GlobalData Explorer.

Slide 1: Finding Company Research – BioNTech in Pitchbook & GlobalData Explorer

Library Resources


Pitchbook 

How to Use Pitchbook for Company Research?

On Pitchbook, you can search for companies in the top search box, or use the Companies & Deals Screener to search for companies by keyword. Find key company statistics, facts, news, and people.   


GlobalData Explorer 

How to use GlobalData Explorer for Company Research

Search for companies by using their name. Or use GlobalData Explorer's "Company Screening Tool" to build search criteria to find companies.


Mergent 

How to use Mergent for company research? 

Learn how to access company profiles in Mergent through the Business Information Skills Certificate course, or via the video below. Note: these resources were created by other universities, so access will differ for Waterloo library. 


Statista 

How to use Statista for company research? 

Search for companies by name, or watch the video below to learn how to use the Company Insight tool.

 

Openly Available Resources


Directories of Canadian Companies 


SEDAR 


EDGAR 

How to use EDGAR for company research? 


CRA - List of charities 


Rankings 


It is important to know that there are many more potential tools, beyond these curated ones, which you could use for company research. Depending on your topic, some of these tools may be more or less useful to you. As you get comfortable with your problem space and searching, feel free to explore beyond what's offered here.