Datasite
Datasite (formerly Merrill Corporation) is a leading AI-driven virtual data room (VDR) provider with a long history of international deal preparation. With more than 50 years of experience, the company is a trusted partner in secure, high-stakes financial transactions. Merrill was established in 1967 and was later renamed Datasite LLC in 2020, a move that signified a new age of technology-based solutions and innovation in the virtual data room industry. Datasite Global Corporation, based in Minneapolis, has a robust global presence, with 23+ offices in North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region, serving sophisticated transactions for Datasite clients worldwide.
Although still traditionally called an enterprise-grade virtual data room, Datasite data room has become popular among startups in the growth stage, who seek enterprise-level credibility. Startups that conduct M&A, Series A+ fundraising, due diligence processes, or investor relations are now using Datasite VDR as the same platform to offer the same degree of professionalism and security as in large financial transactions. In contrast to other virtual data room providers who offer a free trial option, Datasite offers a demo-based assessment system, which further supports its high-value deal marketing technology and premium positioning.
A strong Merrill review history makes it a reliable startup virtual data room over the years. Its AI-driven capabilities and enterprise-grade security bridge the gap between large corporations and ambitious startups. This makes the Datasite technology more inclusive and closer to the enterprise, focusing on large corporations and startups that should be sophisticated enough to attract potential investors.
Datasite Data Room Pricing
Regarding Datasite pricing, a lack of transparency is probably one of the common concerns that startups have. However, unlike most new startup VDR investment offerings that post tiered subscriptions, Datasite pricing plans use per-page billing. This implies that each client contacts sales for a personalized quote to get a quote based on their deal preparation and complexity. This strategy may complicate the budgeting process of startups accustomed to more straightforward and predictable SaaS and cloud apps-like pricing.
Datasite cost structure is undeniably premium, often justified for larger fundraising rounds (Series B and beyond) or in M&A deals when investor requirements are at the highest level of credibility. But, for early-stage businesses, this pattern can be an overbearing burden. The use of page-based billing in particular has received some criticism among certain users, who point out that the cost of a deal increases rapidly as the size of the confidential data increases during due diligence.
For startups considering premium VDR pricing, Datasite virtual data room would be reasonable when the stakes are high, where its reputation is more important than the price. With that being said, founders should know that affordable, startup-friendly options have more transparent pricing, with unlimited pages and users included in flat monthly rates. It depends on whether your company is at a point where the investment in Datasite’s credibility, features, and brand recognition is worth the risk of potentially experiencing cost overruns.
Datasite Advantages and Things to Consider
Any VDR comparison can help identify a provider’s advantages and weak points. Datasite is an enterprise provider with a strong set of features, but the premium pricing also has trade-offs that startups need to consider carefully.
Merrill Datasite Advantages
Datasite is an AI-powered VDR with the credibility of an enterprise. Its machine learning tools, which have been trained on over three million documents, automate document management and redaction, perfect for deal preparation, fundraising due diligence, or M&A. Being the first ISO 27001 certified Datasite virtual data room, it provides unmatched security, supported by 50+ years of experience in corporate development with 14,000+ deals per year. The global 24/7 support and the platform’s reputation can create confidence among institutional investors.
Things to Consider
The high cost and per-page charges of Datasite pricing plans may not justify early-stage financing or simple deals. It is not as available as plain, flat-rate providers due to its complications and lack of a free trial. Most startups may find Datasite alternatives more appealing, although Datasite remains the best for Series B+, cross-border, or regulated industry deals where enterprise reputation is paramount.
To conclude, let’s focus on the pros and cons table:
| Pros | Cons |
| AI-powered automation saves significant time | Premium, non-transparent pricing |
| First ISO 27001 certified VDR with unmatched security | Per-page billing can escalate costs |
| 50+ years of dealmaking experience | Complexity overkill for simple deals |
| Supports 14,000+ deals annually | No free trial available |
| Global 24/7 support builds investor confidence | Less suited to early-stage startups |
The brand itself does not create the platform’s image. It is formed by the virtual data room AI-based approach with tools that far exceed the capabilities of mere file storage.
Datasite VDR Software Solutions
The Datasite platform is an AI-powered virtual data room designed to support complex dealmaking, providing startups with efficiency and enterprise-style credibility. Its machine learning platform is trained on more than 3 million documents, automating data management for indexing, classification, and redaction, saving weeks of prep on a deal or minimizing manual error.
The strongest Datasite features combine the ability to facilitate highly sophisticated Q&A workflows, granular user permissions with a View As preview, sophisticated analytics, and a dashboard with live metrics. The founders are allowed to upload multiple files up to 50GB, and integrate email systems for smooth communication.
The Datasite mobile app ensures global access for distributed teams managing data room access. This combination of automation, security, and accessibility makes distributed startup teams operating M&A data room activity or investor due diligence appear to have the kind of professionalism that impresses institutional investors.
Those advantages are vital for deals where complexity, credibility, and compliance are primary. That leads to the question: what sort of startups are the real benefactors of investing in Datasite?
What is Merrill Datasite Best For?
Datasite will best serve startups with complex Series B+ fundraisings with multiple institutional investors. Its AI-based structure, authorization, and dashboards simplify startup fundraising due diligence, projecting the enterprise-level maturity that advanced investors would anticipate.
It also works well with acquisition preparation and post-merger integration, particularly where enterprise or strategic acquirers require high M&A data room standards. Datasite has an ISO 27001 certification and compliance framework in the regulated context of fintech, healthtech, or defense tech, ensuring the level of security required to operate with sensitive information.
Finally, startups that accept cross-border M&A or multi-workstream deals can access global support, multipanel, and AI-based tools to sort documents in bulk. To scaling companies, Datasite is not just a VDR; it is a credibility tool that helps close high-stakes deals with confidence.
However, what makes it stand out among its lighter rivals, more than efficiency, is its unrelenting emphasis on data room security, where confidence and adherence can make or break high-stakes deals.
Merrill Datasite Compliance Certificates
As mentioned, Datasite was the first ISO 27001-certified provider. It has become the standard in ensuring data security training. In the case of startups, this accreditation conveys the credibility of an enterprise to its institutional investors and acquirers. Moreover, Datasite is SOC 2 Type II attested, fully GDPR-compliant, and FedRAMP authorized under U.S. government cloud security regulations, which is why it is perfect for regulated sectors such as fintech, healthtech, and defense tech.
Datasite integrates encrypted data at a bank level (AES 256-bit, TLS 1.2), multi-factor authentication, and threat detection with comprehensive audit trails and cryptographic hash algorithms. These protections provide startups with the assurance that they can manage international transactions and sensitive due diligence processes in a protected virtual data room that fulfills the highest standards worldwide.
Main Benefits of Merrill Datasite
Datasite is unique in merging AI automation with 50+ years of dealmaking expertise. Automated document index saves weeks of preparation time during fundraising or M&A.
Its reputation as a professional enterprise with 14,000+ deals each year in 180 countries signals to investors and acquirers that it is a serious enterprise, and its security and best practices industry leadership provide startups with the confidence to make high-stakes deals.
| Benefit | Why It Matters for Startups |
| AI automation | Saves weeks in deal prep |
| Enterprise credibility | Signals readiness to investors and acquirers |
| Global track record | 14,000+ deals across 180 countries |
| 24/7 multilingual support | Enables seamless international collaboration |
| Industry-leading security | Meets enterprise and regulatory standards |
| Dealmaking expertise | 50+ years of best practices built in |
Who are the real users of Datasite, and how has the company changed its audience to attract startups to the platform in addition to more traditional enterprise customers?
Merrill Datasite’s Top Customers
Datasite supports large organizations and growth-stage startups, particularly in investment banking, private equity, and corporate development. In addition to the many clients with 1B+ revenue, the platform is also increasingly used by Series B+ startups. It is located in North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region, hence capable of facilitating cross-border complex deals.
Healthcare, energy, technology, and law firms are among the major industries that have customers who are satisfied with Datasite, with strong 4.5 user ratings on G2. In the case of startups, having the same platform as large corporations gives them credibility and access to enterprise-level dealmaking solutions.
FAQ
When does the investment pay off vs. budget alternatives, and how should startups budget for per-page billing?
Datasite is an ideal investment in Series B+ fundraising, cross-border M&A, or deals in a regulated industry where time-saving, reduced risk, and investor credibility are paramount. To ensure there is no unpleasant surprise, startups must determine the volume of documents and the complexity of deals to estimate per-page charges.
Is AI automation worth it, and do startups need enterprise-grade features?
In large, complicated transactions, AI-based document structure, automated redaction, and specific permissions can save weeks of human effort and eliminate mistakes. These features can be excessive when dealing with small initial funding rounds, and simpler VDRs can be used.
At what funding stage does it make sense to upgrade to Datasite?
Series B+ and growth-stage startups are usually the most beneficial. The early stage of fundraising does not justify the premium, as document volumes and complexity are lower.
How does it compare to DocSend, Ideals, and other startup-friendly options?
Datasite offers enterprise-level security, AI automation, global support, and compliance certifications. Simpler to set up, cheaper, and transparent pricing options, such as DocSend or Ideals, can work with smaller or earlier-stage deals.
What’s the onboarding process, and how responsive is support during critical fundraising?
Datasite has a demo-based assessment and then a directed installation. They operate 24/7 globally and are responsive when there is a tight fundraising or M&A schedule.
How can startups measure the ROI for serious fundraising and exit preparation?
Time saved, less legal and operational risk, easier due diligence, and increased credibility with investors and acquirers all translate into ROI. It is most valued in a complex and high-stakes transaction or deals with several workstreams, handling social data.