AI companies are now trading at multiples that are several times higher than traditional SaaS companies, despite operating in a funding environment defined by liquidity constraints and heightened investor caution. In public markets, the median AI market cap-to-revenue multiple exceeds 10x, while that of SaaS companies is below 5x. This widening valuation gap raises two …
In an industry often caught between impersonal online booking platforms and exclusive but slow-moving concierge services, Holiwise is carving out a distinctive path. The AI-powered travel platform promises to deliver the white-glove service of luxury travel planning with the speed and efficiency of modern technology—a combination that co-founder and CEO Albin Eriksson Lippe believes has …
Public companies pursuing inorganic growth face two major compliance burdens. They must balance ongoing financial reporting obligations under GAAP with the requirement to provide adequate transparency to stakeholders when acquiring private sector companies. As M&A competition intensifies, the need to meet these already onerous requirements with speed and defensibility has grown sharply. Global M&A deal …
As private companies scale from early-stage startups to venture-backed enterprises, their compliance obligations evolve dramatically. What begins as informal updates to angel investors can quickly transform into rigorous reporting requirements that rival those of public companies. Understanding these requirements early helps founders avoid costly mistakes, maintain investor confidence, and position their companies for successful funding …
For two analyses that support completely different purposes, fairness opinions and valuation reports have a lot of common elements. They use the same inputs, such as financial histories, projections, capital structures, and market trends. Even methodologies such as comparable company analysis and the discounted cash flow (DCF) method are common between the two. So, what’s …
From backing category-defining consumer brands to navigating the complexities of today’s AI-driven investment landscape, Lerer Hippeau has established itself as one of New York’s most influential early-stage venture capital firms. What sets them apart isn’t just their track record; it’s their philosophy of being a founder’s “first and most aligned institutional partner.” In this interview, …
Rule 701 allows companies to issue stock-based compensation without triggering the need to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Securities Act of 1933. This is a very important exemption since the US regulatory framework places immense reporting responsibilities on registered companies. As an ESOP administrator, to qualify for Rule 701 benefits, …
Traditional 409A valuation reports have been the cornerstone of equity compensation compliance in the USA. These reports have shielded businesses from hefty IRS penalties for many years. But here’s the problem. Traditional 409A valuations can no longer keep up with the pace of modern businesses. The traditional 409A PDF report is a valuation snapshot you …
In an exclusive Eqvista interview, Frederik Sally, Co-Founder and COO of Interhuman AI, reveals how his Copenhagen-based startup is pioneering a social intelligence layer for AI to decode non-verbal cues like tone, body language, and pauses, elements comprising up to 93% of human communication. Frederick credits co-founder Paula Petcu’s decade in brain health tech for …
New Enterprise Associates (NEA) has maintained its position as a leading investor across multiple sectors, making it one of the world’s famous venture capital firms. Founded in 1977, NEA has built an impressive track record with over 280 portfolio companies reaching IPO and 99 achieving unicorn status. The firm’s portfolio includes leaders like Cloudflare, Coursera, …
The Eqvista SaaS Index 2026 tracks valuation trends, investor sentiments, and growth velocity across the global and regional software-as-a-service (SaaS) landscape. In the current VC landscape, where investors exhibit caution that’s not AI, understanding how valuations respond to market cycles is critical for founders planning funding rounds. Our analysis expands on public SaaS insights by …
In this latest edition of founder spotlight, Eqvista features Randy Allen, Co-Founder and CEO of Still Bright, a hard-tech startup transforming how the world produces one of its most critical resources: copper. Drawing on a deep background in chemical engineering, materials science, and venture investing, Randy is leading Still Bright’s mission to close the looming …
The funding market has been on fire owing to the AI revolution. This makes it important to understand what is transpiring in the US VC market. This article aims to achieve the same goal using the November 2025 VC deals as its source. Number of AI companies by funding type, funding raised and Multiples Figure …
As we approach 2026, founders must prepare for critical tax filing deadlines, missing which could trigger penalties. To ensure that businesses with complex structures and sole proprietors have ample time to file tax forms, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has different tax filing deadlines for businesses with different corporate structures. So, C-corporations and sole proprietors …
Eqvista spotlights Mitesh Agrawal, CEO of Positron AI, to explore the shift from GPU-dominated AI infrastructure to purpose-built inference hardware that delivers 3-3.5x better performance per dollar and up to 66% lower power usage. Mithesh shares his journey from scaling Lambda’s GPU cloud to leading Positron’s FPGA-proven, US-manufactured systems optimised for Transformer models. He details …
I’m pleased to announce my acceptance into the Forbes Finance Council, an exclusive, invitation-only community of accomplished finance executives, entrepreneurs, and investors shaping the future of global capital. It’s an honor to join this distinguished group and contribute to its mission of advancing thought leadership and innovation within the industry. Why I’m Joining the Forbes …
Priorities spiraling out of alignment is a reality that most business partners don’t anticipate or underestimate. When this occurs, stakeholders may consider buyouts as a solution. This helps preserve business relationships and avoid prolonged legal disputes. However, when buyouts are not feasible or excessive, some may resort to manipulation of ownership. From aggressive stock-based compensation …
Private equity firms may find relief in the fact that global dry powder has steadily declined since 2023, reaching $2.52 trillion by July 1, 2025. While global M&A volumes fell 9% in the first half of 2025 on a year-on-year (YoY) basis, the stabilization of tariffs and trade policies could pave the way for renewed …
Eqvista’s latest founder interview features Robin Binder, the founder of NAO, a fintech platform reshaping access to alternative investments for everyday investors. In this conversation, he explains how NAO leverages regulation, technology, and design to lower entry barriers to as little as 1, while still maintaining institutional-grade standards around product selection, compliance, and risk transparency. …
At Eqvista, we’re committed to empowering founders with the tools and resources they need to build sustainable, scalable businesses. While equity financing remains a cornerstone of startup growth, we recognize that today’s founders need access to diverse capital strategies that preserve ownership and extend runway. That’s why we’re excited to announce our strategic partnership with …
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