Settling on a valuation for your startup is an essential part of securing funding from investors.
Understandably, you want to inspire funders. A strong valuation can show that you are confident in your idea and that there is a big financial opportunity for the investor too.
But it is possible to overvalue your startup.
In doing so, you may deter investors altogether. Relationships with stakeholders who do come on board could become strained. You may cause internal stresses for yourself and your team.
And you may create long-term problems – especially when it comes to trying for further investment down the line.
This article digs into these potential negative effects, and highlights how you can minimise the risk of overvaluing your startup.
While investors expect confidence, an unrealistic valuation can signal poor research, unreliable data, and an underestimation of risk.
They need to trust your forecasts and see that industry benchmarks support your valuation.
If it looks like you haven’t collected enough data about the sector you are operating in, or you haven’t interpreted those numbers correctly, then they will be more likely to take their investment elsewhere.
VCs and angel investors compare valuations across similar startups, considering:
Other companies in your niche
Other startup valuations that are happening at the time
Other teams that are of a similar size and experience to yours
A valuation grounded in research and industry standards makes your pitch more credible.
If an overvaluation doesn’t deter investors at the outset, it can still set you on a path towards a rocky relationship with stakeholders down the line.
If investors feel they overpaid, concerns over returns and their portfolio’s reputation arise. Transparency is crucial, and failing to meet milestones due to an inflated valuation can erode trust and accelerate breakdowns in relationships.
When it comes to looking for an exit – be it via sale of the business or acquisition – an overvalued business will also have a smaller pool of potential buyers.
This may make it harder to deliver the returns to your investor and may well mean you still owe them money after the business has been sold.
A reasonable valuation with achievable goals keeps investors engaged and ensures long-term flexibility.
If you secure funding based on an inflated valuation, it can create unrealistic growth expectations, leading to burnout and poor decision-making.
A data-backed, market-aligned valuation helps set achievable targets for the next 18–24 months, supporting team morale and sustainable growth.
An OTT initial valuation can make it harder to raise funding in the future. Investors will question past funding rounds, where the money went, and why more is needed.
A more conservative strategy around your initial valuation, with a view to raising further investment later, will help you be more adaptable in the face of market changes.
You can assess how things are going a year or so down the line – and have a more accurate idea of the kind of investment you might need to take the next step.
High valuations are tempting, but unrealistic figures can do more harm than good. Investors scrutinise sector trends, valuation norms, and your team’s experience.
Even if you secure funding, an inflated valuation can lead to investor dissatisfaction, internal pressure, and difficulty in raising future capital.
A valuation grounded in industry context, supported by solid research, and aligned with realistic growth projections stands the best chance of attracting investors and setting your startup up for success.
Best of luck with your funding round!
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PS. We have a suite of tools designed specifically for startups going through funding rounds. See for yourself. Valuations are also critical for share schemes, we can help you with those too.