Metrics & Performance
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Quick Answer
A valuation method that estimates a company's value based on the trading multiples of similar public or recently acquired companies.
Comparable company analysis (comps) values a company by applying valuation multiples from similar companies to the target's financial metrics. In venture, comps typically use revenue multiples (EV/Revenue) since most startups are pre-profit. The challenge is finding truly comparable companies, as private startups often have different growth profiles, margins, and risk profiles than public peers.
In Practice
A B2B SaaS startup growing 100% YoY is valued using public SaaS comps trading at 15x forward revenue. Applied to the startup's projected $20M ARR, this suggests a $300M valuation, adjusted downward for illiquidity.
What good looks like
Why It Matters
Comps provide market-based valuation anchors but require careful selection of truly comparable companies. Misapplied comps are a common source of valuation disputes between founders and investors.
VC Beast Take
Comps analysis is seductive but dangerous in early-stage VC. Most 'comparable' companies aren't actually comparable once you dig into unit economics, market positioning, and growth quality. Smart VCs use comps as a sanity check, not a primary valuation driver. The real art is knowing when to ignore the comparables entirely.
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Comparable company analysis (comps) values a company by applying valuation multiples from similar companies to the target's financial metrics. In venture, comps typically use revenue multiples (EV/Revenue) since most startups are pre-profit.
Understanding Comparable Company Analysis is critical for founders navigating the fundraising process. It directly impacts deal terms, valuation, and the relationship between founders and investors.
Comparable Company Analysis falls under the metrics category in venture capital. This area covers concepts related to the quantitative measures used to evaluate fund and company performance.
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