Secondary fund managers are expected to make fast, high-stakes decisions in a market that still relies on slow, outdated valuation reports. That mismatch is becoming harder to ignore as portfolio companies move, markets shift, and LP expectations keep rising. Secondary market funds sit in a unique part of private equity. They buy existing equity stakes …
For private companies, the 409A valuation has long served as the standard compliance benchmark. It is the formal, legally recognized valuation used to determine the fair market value of common stock for stock option grants, and it remains a critical part of any sound equity compensation strategy. But a 409A is still a snapshot. It …
If you hold private shares in a US startup and are planning to move to Canada, you may owe no tax on pre-move gains, but only if you get your FMV valuation right before you cross the border. Here’s what you need to know. Since 2020, 56,240 Americans have been admitted as permanent residents to …
You are sponsoring a relative for a green card. You completed your Form I-864, but then you came across a problem. The income from your house isn’t enough to qualify according to the 125% poverty level test. However, you have started your own business that has an equity of $2 million. Why would the USCIS …
The 409A Valuation service market was worth USD 10.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to be worth USD 40.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 12.9% from 2024 to 2030. This market is a subset of the financial services business that concentrates on helping private corporations meet the requirements of Section 409A …
You have accepted a job offer abroad, and your visa is approved. Before completing your move, consider a financial obligation that many Canadians overlook until it’s too late. Once you stop being a Canadian tax resident, the Canada Revenue Agency will assume that you have disposed of all your foreign investments at their fair market …
Last Updated: April 2026 As of 2026, the Price-to-Sales (P/S) ratio has demonstrated notable trends that reflect broader market conditions and investor sentiment. The P/S ratio has shown a significant upward trend over the last five years, when it surged from 3.894 (Minimum Range) to 6.925 (Maximum Range) The current P/S ratio for the S&P …
Last Updated: April 2026 Different industries have different capital needs, risk profiles, and cash‑flow stability, so they naturally settle at different leverage levels. A D/E number that looks risky in one sector can be perfectly normal in another, which is why cross‑industry comparisons are often misleading. The debt-to-equity ratio is crucial for assessing financial health. …
Last Updated: April 2026 Company valuation is one thing that every entrepreneur must bear in mind at every stage of a business. No significant decision can be taken without estimating the market value of a company at any given point. Factors called valuation multiples are important indicators in this process. Investors and company managements alike …
Last Updated: April 2026 Company valuation is an important recurring process in every business. It is in many ways a projection as well as a milestone in a company’s growth cycle. Analysts can select from a wide array of valuation tools to suit industry needs. While it is easier to arrive at a valuation for …
As your startup matures, founders, early employees, or angel investors may look for liquidity by selling their existing shares to new investors without waiting for an IPO. Unlike primary sales, secondary transfers do not result in new capital for the company. Instead, they represent a change in ownership of existing equity. Handling these effectively is …
At Eqvista, precision is everything. Some valuation cases demand more than technical skill; they call for judgment, experience, and the ability to deliver under pressure. That level of work belongs to Eqvista’s Tiger Team, a specialized group that handles the firm’s most advanced, complex, and time-sensitive assignments. Led by Patrick Wong, with Kayla Chen and …
Are Carta’s rising costs and cap table management issues causing you frustration? You’re not alone. Many startups are seeking alternatives to Carta due to its median annual fees of $14,000, which can exceed $77,000, slow support, data export challenges, and privacy concerns. In 2026, over 40% of startups say they plan to switch to save …
If you’re a seed-to-Series B AI founder raising in 2026, you’re entering the most capital-intensive fundraising environment tech has ever experienced. In 2024, AI startups attracted approximately $100-130 billion in venture capital, accounting for about one-third of all VC dollars worldwide, but that was just the beginning. AI secured nearly 50% of global funding in …
Every month, Eqvista delivers valuation reports for client assets worth over $5 billion, spanning everything from growth-stage startups to unicorns, with our largest single engagement reaching $25 billion. Across thousands of engagements annually, patterns emerge not just in the numbers, but in methodologies and temperaments. This article distills hard-won lessons from that volume of work, …
2025 was a year of recovery for venture capital, but calling it a full comeback misses the point. Yes, global VC funding reached $425 billion. Funding gained 30% year over year, up from $328 billion in 2024. However, when examining where the money actually went, a clearer picture appears, and capital in 2025 was plentiful …
Let us assume that you have the initial cash you need to set everything up for your business, but the trouble comes later when you look into the cash flow in the future. You are hurting for cash flow, which is the money coming in every month. Because of this, it can be really hard …
Many startups discover too late that their early 409A valuation wasn’t done correctly and no longer aligns with updated financial data or compliance requirements. The problem? Inaccuracies in those past reports can create inconsistencies across filings, affect option pricing, and raise red flags during audits or due diligence. Eqvista’s retroactive 409A valuation service resolves these …
VC funding in Q4 2025 indicates a stable yet cautious investment environment. While a large amount of money is still being invested globally, this funding is heavily concentrated in a few specific regions and sectors. North America remains the clear leader in global VC, bringing in $91.15 billion in Q4. At the same time, companies …
Disclaimer: Eqvista Real-Time Company Valuation® is an AI-driven estimate for informational purposes only; it is not a certified 409A valuation or a substitute for legal, tax, or investment advice. The Illusion of the Peak In 2021, consumer banking app Step rode the fintech boom to a massive $1 Billion valuation. Fast forward to February 2026, …
