Business valuations
Business valuations for creative companies. What your business is worth depends heavily on who's asking and why. We value it for the reason you actually need.
There are many reason you way want or need a business valuation and there are many more ways to reach to a valuation.
Once our business advisors understand the reasons for the valuation and what it is to be used for, then we can suggest the most appropriate methods to be used and then go on to provide the valuation. This usually includes clearance with HMRC and supporting documentation.
When you need a business valuation in the creative sector
A business valuation establishes what a company is worth, using one or more recognised approaches: an earnings multiple, discounted cash flow, net assets, or entry cost.
WallsMan Creative prepares independent valuations of UK creative businesses for fundraising, sale, partner buy-in or buy-out, share schemes including EMI, and exit planning.
The purpose of the valuation affects the approach, so we establish that first.
Raising investment: The valuation determines how much equity you give away for the money. Getting it wrong in either direction is expensive.
Selling the business: Knowing the realistic range before you go to market, and understanding what would move it.
Bringing a partner in, or buying one out: The most common reason, and the one where an independent figure matters most: it takes the number out of the argument.
EMI share option schemes: Option grants need a defensible valuation, and for EMI there’s a specific process for agreeing it with HMRC.
Share transfers and restructures: Issuing or transferring shares at the wrong value has tax consequences.
Exit planning: Knowing the number three years before you sell is when you can still change it.
Frequently Asked Questions about business valuations
A business valuation is an independent assessment of what your creative business would be worth in a hypothetical sale or investment scenario.
Business valuations are useful for investment discussions, sale planning, partnership changes, tax planning, and exit or succession planning.
We use commonly accepted valuation approaches including income, market comparables, and asset-based methods depending on your business model.
That depends. Most business valuations take weeks, depending on the complexity of your accounts, contracts, and future projections.
We typically request recent accounts, management reports, contracts, pricing history, cost structures, and forecasts.
We can. By analysing forward-looking methods such as projected cashflows and market comparables to value early-stage or pre-profit creative businesses.
Definitely. Professional business valuation clarifies your business value in a way investors and lenders recognise, helping improve confidence and credibility.
Ultimately, that's up to you. You might review your valuation annually or before major financial events such as funding rounds, ownership changes, or sale planning.
Absolutely, that's what we do! We walk you through the report, explain the assumptions and drivers of value, and recommend strategic steps based on the findings.