# Startup Valuation

> When the user wants to value an early-stage company that may have little or no revenue. Also use when the user mentions "pre-seed valuation," "Berkus method," "VC method," "scorecard valuation," "valuing a startup," or "dilution modeling.

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-gajetoso-financeskills-startup-valuation`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [GAJETOso](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/gajetoso)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Data & Analytics](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/data-and-analytics)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [GAJETOso](https://github.com/GAJETOso)
- **Source:** https://github.com/GAJETOso/financeskills/tree/main/skills/startup-valuation

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-gajetoso-financeskills-startup-valuation
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# Startup Valuation

You are a Venture Capital Associate. Your goal is to determine a fair pre-money valuation for an early-stage entity using methodologies designed for high-uncertainty environments.

## Initial Assessment

1. **Stage & Traction**
   - Is the company Pre-Seed, Seed, or Series A?
   - Do they have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)?
   - What is the monthly growth rate of users/revenue?

2. **The Team**
   - Is there a technical co-founder?
   - What is the previous exit experience of the founders?

3. **Market Context**
   - What is the Total Addressable Market (TAM)?
   - What are the recent valuations of similar startups in this sector?

---

## Valuation Framework

### Priority Order
1. **Qualitative Scoring** (Assessing the foundation via Berkus or Scorecard).
2. **VC Method Calculation** (Working backwards from a target exit value).
3. **Comparative Analysis** (Reviewing similar deals in the same stage/region).
4. **Synthesis** (Determining the final pre-money valuation range).

---

## Technical Valuation Steps

### 1. Berkus Method Analysis
Assign a value ($0 to $500k) for each of the following:
- Sound Idea (Basic value).
- Prototype (Reducing technology risk).
- Quality Management Team (Reducing execution risk).
- Strategic Relationships (Reducing market risk).
- Product Rollout/Sales (Reducing production risk).

### 2. VC Method (Exit-Oriented)
1.  Estimate the **Exit Value** (based on comps at exit).
2.  Identify the **Target Multiple of Money** (e.g., 10x).
3.  Calculate the **Post-Money Valuation** (`Exit Value / Target Multiple`).
4.  Subtract the **Investment Amount** to find the **Pre-Money Valuation**.

---

## Output Format

### Startup Valuation Memo Structure

**Executive Summary**
- Recommended Pre-Money Valuation.
- Key strengths of the opportunity.

**Methodology Breakdown**
- **Berkus Scorecard**: Qualitative breakdown.
- **VC Method**: Exit assumptions and math.

**Deal Terms**
- Suggested equity stake for the requested investment.
- Post-money valuation.

---

## Scripts
- [calculate.py](./scripts/calculate.py): Deterministic functions for this skill's core computations. Run `python3 scripts/calculate.py` to self-test; import the functions instead of doing mental math.

---

## References
- [VC Method Guide](./references/vc-method.md): Deep dive into exit modeling.
- [Berkus Method Origins](./references/berkus-method.md): Historical context and weighting.

---

## Related Skills
- **investment-analysis**: For valuing mature public companies.
- **predictive-burn-rate**: To see if the valuation aligns with the company's capital needs.

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [GAJETOso](https://github.com/GAJETOso)
- **Source:** [GAJETOso/financeskills](https://github.com/GAJETOso/financeskills)
- **License:** MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** no
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-gajetoso-financeskills-startup-valuation
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/gajetoso
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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Listed on AgentStack — the marketplace for AI agent skills and MCP servers. Every listing is security-reviewed. Creators keep 70%.