Ask HN: Valuing a Social Technology startup using EBITDA makes sense? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Valuing a Social Technology startup using EBITDA makes sense?

3 pointsashreef2 comments

originally asked here: http://answers.onstartups.com/questions/49770/valuing-a-social-technology-startup-using-ebitda-makes-sense

We're finalizing the details of a new shareholders agreement but we're stuck at setting the EBITDA multiple that will get used for future valuation of the company.

The agreement was written by one of the new investors (VC). but the other investors commented that EBITDA is the wrong way to calculate the valuation of a social technology startup that has assets like its users, and that should be looking for revenue and market share.

The startup could be not generating high revenues, but the numbers of its users for example could be another thing that should be part of the equation as it represents an opportunity and a market share.

We're confused and don't know what is the right method to use. I hope that there's a standard for something like that.

A multiple is a benchmark instrument, not a valuation methodology. A business needs to be valued via DCF, using a multiple to value a business is a big mistake.

Let me clarify, e.g. An EBITDA multiple of 8x all it means is that the company's Enterprise Value is 8x the company's (either FY0 or preferably FY+1) EBITDA. But the important number here is not the multiple, it's the Enterprise Value! The multiple is the by-product of the valuation (Enterprise Value/EBITDA = Multiple), and not vice-versa. By using a multiple you are potentially omitting the company's future growth, capital structure, increase in profitability/margins, etc. That is why the smart way of valuing a business is via DCF. By using a DCF you are able to critically test if the operational metrics, implied growth, revenues, costs, profitability, etc assumptions are realistic and achievable. And in the case of a tech companies, one makes sure that growth (where a big chunk of value is) is factored/priced in.

As you said, I think DCF would be the right thing to do. we already did the valuation for this round of investment using DCF. so in future calculations of valuation, it would make sense to use DCF again.

The current draft of the Shareholders Agreement currently says that EBITDA should get used if there're revenues, but if there are no revenues, DCF should get used.

I think we will just amend that by removing EBITDA, and forcing the use of DCF in all cases.

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