🟣  DealPotential: This platform prides itself on being a data aggregator with verified data. DealPotential gets data from trusted financial and industry sources (rather than crowdsourcing or web scraping), aiming to ensure accuracy and reliability. In terms of sheer coverage, it boasts information on over 15 million private companies worldwide, spanning 750+ sectors. This is coupled with data on 33,000+ investment firms (VCs, PEs, etc.), which is invaluable for mapping out the investor landscape. Because it aggregates from multiple databases and institutions, DealPotential offers comprehensive coverage – from global startup ecosystems to middle-market and growth-stage companies – all vetted for quality. For an investor, this means fewer blind spots and confidence that the numbers and facts are trustworthy.

🟣  PitchBook: PitchBook is an industry stalwart known for deep and detailed data.
Its dataset covers around 4.7 million private companies. PitchBook’s data quality is generally high – they employ research, PitchBook includes financial metrics, valuations, exit info, and fund performance data, The coverage is global, although it’s strongest for North America and Europe. In short, PitchBook delivers breadth and depth. 

🟣  CB Insights: CB Insights also maintains a rich global database of private companies, with an emphasis on startups and tech-enabled businesses. Its data coverage runs broad, but the platform’s focus is often on quality over quantity. CB Insights curates datasets around high-growth sectors, venture-backed companies, IPOs, and M&A. They aggregate funding information, investor details, patent filings, news mentions, and even partnerships. The data quality is bolstered by their internal analyst team who produce reports and vet important information. The platform’s coverage of emerging markets and technologies is a differentiator, although like PitchBook it may not capture very nascent companies until they hit a radar (e.g., raise capital or gain press).

🟣  Crunchbase: Crunchbase started as a crowdsourced database and, while it’s become more structured over time, it still relies on a mix of user contributions, web scraping, and partnerships for its data. It lists hundreds of thousands of companies (from seed-stage startups to some larger private companies), and is often very quick to show new fundraising information, since startups and PR announcements feed into it directly. However, the data quality can be uneven, popular companies will have fleshed-out profiles, whereas lesser-known ones might have skeletal information or outdated details. Essentially, Crunchbase prioritizes breadth and speed over deep verification. It’s great as a first look or for broad prospecting, but private investors may need to double-check the data for critical decisions.