Valuation multiples are commonly used methods for valuing startups, especially pre-revenue ones. Multiples value a company based on ratios like Price/Sales, EV/Revenue, and Revenue/EBITDA observed in acquisitions of comparable companies. Here’s an overview of startup valuation using multiples:
A valuation multiple expresses the value of a business relative to a key financial metric like revenue, EBITDA, etc. For example:
– Price/Sales ratio = Company Value / Annual Revenue
– EV/Revenue multiple = Enterprise Value / Annual Revenue
Multiples provide shortcuts to value companies without detailed cash flow forecasting required for DCF analysis. The multiples approach assumes that if comparable companies trade at X times revenue, the startup should as well.
Commonly used multiples for startups include:
– Price/Sales or EV/Revenue – Appropriate for pre-revenue or early revenue stage startups.
– Revenue/EBITDA – Useful for startups with consistent profit margins.
– P/E – Best for profitable startups with reliable earnings.
The appropriate multiple depends on the startup’s stage and financial metrics. Price/Sales is suitable for pre-profit startups. Revenue/EBITDA applies to startups with stable margins. P/E works only if earnings are meaningful.
Where to Find Comparable Multiples
Typically, comparable multiples are derived from recent M&A deals or public companies in the same sector. For example, if early stage SaaS companies were recently acquired for 8x revenue, apply 8x to the startup’s revenue. Databases like S&P Capital IQ offer industry-level valuation benchmarks.
Advantages vs. Limitations
Multiples offer quick valuations based on market evidence. But the quality heavily depends on the comparability of the startups used to derive the multiples. Inability to find close peers is a key limitation. Multiples also reveal less about growth potential than DCF analysis.
Overall, multiples offer useful starting points for pre-revenue startup valuation provided the methodology and peers are sound. They complement more rigorous DCF analysis.
