This note addresses the question of valuation in the venture capital setting. It discusses the methodologies most commonly in practice for arriving at valuation. Because valuation methodologies can yield widely varying results, this note looks at valuation from many different angles. The note addresses critical questions including: What value should the entrepreneur put on his/her company when first raising capital? What should the venture capitalist (VC) pay to invest in the company? What is the appropriate valuation for subsequent rounds of financing? What is the right value at which to exit the investment?
This case provides an introduction to the concept of a search fund. A search fund is an investment vehicle through which a group of investors provide financial support to an entrepreneur or a small team of entrepreneurs for the purpose of finding and acquiring a privately held company in which the entrepreneurs would ultimately perform senior management roles. This case deals with the process of setting up the fund, defining its terms and examining the economics. Search funds are new to the Canadian market.
RSSWorks Inc. represents a very early stage funding opportunity - the business model has not been decided. The case provides an introduction to the thinking behind seeking first external funding for an early stage founder-funded company. Students will gain an overview of how a very early stage company gets going and begins to operate by exploring the funding options open to a company at this early stage, considering the needs and wants of the founders and the potential funders, and assessing a company at this early stage. The case also introduces the notion of an ecosystem for technology companies and its role in the success or failure of early stage companies, and the idea of launching on the cheap.
A vice-president of Ventures West, a leading Canadian venture capital firm, must decide what due diligence to conduct in order to recommend an investment in AudienceView, a company that provides software and services for the sports and entertainment ticketing markets. While the case is focused on due diligence, there is sufficient information to allow for a full venture capital investment analysis, including valuation and deal terms.
The chief financial officer (CFO) of Workbrain Corporation (Workbrain) must prepare a memo for the upcoming board of directors meeting. Workbrain, a venture-backed company, has grown substantially since its founding in November 1999. Now the CFO must communicate to the board whether it is time to consider an initial public offering (IPO) and, if so, in which exchange market the stock should be offered. The company must also consider what financing alternatives are available (including maintaining the current venture financing arrangement) and whether the company needs to raise money at all. The CFO is thinking about the memo, knowing that his words will have considerable impact on the company.
A partner in a venture capital firm is contemplating an investment in a software firm. He must perform a size up of the company and prepare a term sheet.