AI Tool for Due Diligence on a Small Business

Before you buy a small business, you need to verify its claims. Most AI tools just guess from old data. Cortex AIF checks each claim against live public records—company registries, SEC filings, domain history, and review platforms—and stamps every fact VERIFIED, UNVERIFIED, or CONTRADICTED. No fabricated numbers. No reassuring lies. A clear GO or NO-GO in minutes.

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What you actually need to check when vetting a small business

Due diligence on a small business means verifying the seller's claims against public records. You need to check: (1) the legal entity exists and is in good standing with the state registry; (2) the business name and domain have been registered for the claimed period; (3) any financial claims (revenue, profit) are supported by tax filings or audited statements; (4) there are no undisclosed liens, lawsuits, or negative reviews that contradict the seller's story. A thorough pre-screen covers these areas before you pay for a full audit.

Doing this manually takes hours of searching multiple databases. An AI tool that can automate the checks—but only if it actually opens the live records—saves time. The key is that the tool must prove each claim with a source link, not just summarize what a chatbot remembers.

How Cortex does this – code is the judge, not the model

Cortex is built differently from typical AI. The LLM only plans which sources to check. Then code (not the model) goes to the actual public records: state business registries, SEC EDGAR, domain WHOIS history, and review aggregators. For each claim the seller made, Cortex returns a stamp: VERIFIED (source confirms), PARTIALLY_VERIFIED (some evidence), UNVERIFIED (no public record found), or CONTRADICTED (source disproves). Any number or date without a source is deleted—no fabrication allowed.

You get a per-claim evidence report and a final GO / NO-GO recommendation. The whole process takes minutes and costs a few dollars, not thousands. This is a public-records pre-screen; it does not replace an accountant's review of private books, but it catches the most common lies and omissions early.

Why ChatGPT cannot do this – and why paid badges are not enough

If you ask ChatGPT to vet a business, it will answer from its training data—which is months or years old. It cannot open the live company registry or check today's domain records. Worse, it can invent sources and numbers that look convincing but are false. For a money decision, that is disqualifying. Cortex never fabricates; it only reports what the code finds in real-time sources.

Self-reported trust signals like paid 'Verified' badges or curated reviews are also unreliable. A seller can buy a badge or pay for fake reviews. Cortex checks independent, third-party records that the seller cannot manipulate. That is the difference between a marketing claim and a verifiable fact.

What you get: a clear GO or NO-GO with evidence

After Cortex runs, you receive a report with each claim listed, its verification stamp, and a direct link to the source. If the business claims a stated revenue figure, Cortex checks the tax transcript or audited statement—if none is public, it stamps UNVERIFIED. If the domain was registered last week but the seller says they have been in business 10 years, Cortex stamps CONTRADICTED. The final verdict is GO (all key claims verified) or NO-GO (critical contradictions found).

You can use this report to decide whether to proceed to a full due diligence or walk away. No more guessing, no more trusting a chatbot's memory.

Pricing and speed – built for small business budgets

Cortex is designed to be affordable for small-business buyers and solo investors. Each verification run costs a few dollars—far less than hiring a lawyer or investigator for a pre-screen. Results come back in minutes, not days. You can run multiple businesses through the tool without breaking the bank.

There are no hidden fees or long-term contracts. You pay per verification and get the full evidence report immediately.

Start your due diligence in minutes

To use Cortex, simply provide the business name, domain, and any claims the seller has made. The tool does the rest. You do not need to be a legal expert or a data analyst. The output is plain English with clear stamps and source links.

Try it on your next potential acquisition. If the business checks out, you move forward with confidence. If not, you saved yourself from a bad deal.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Cortex a replacement for a full due diligence audit?

No. Cortex is a public-records pre-screen that verifies claims against government and independent databases. It catches common lies and omissions, but it does not review private financial statements, contracts, or tax returns. Always follow up with an accountant or lawyer for the final audit.

How does Cortex prevent AI hallucinations?

Cortex uses a two-step process: the LLM only plans which sources to check, but code (not the model) retrieves the data. Any number or date without a source link is deleted. The model cannot invent facts because the code only outputs what it finds in the live records.

What sources does Cortex check?

Cortex checks state business registries, SEC EDGAR, domain WHOIS history, and major review platforms. The exact sources depend on the business type and location. Each claim in the report includes a direct link to the source used.

How much does a verification run cost?

Each run costs a few dollars. There are no subscription fees or minimum commitments. You pay only when you run a verification, and you get the full evidence report immediately.