Indicative valuation
A reasoned estimate based on available financial and operating information, assets, industry conditions, risk, and opportunity.
A confidential place to begin
Complimentary review No charge
Understand what your business may be worth—before deciding what comes next.
You have spent years building your company. Whether you are considering a future sale, preparing for retirement, planning succession, or simply looking for clarity, the first step is understanding what influences its value.
01
Clarity before commitment
Learn what may influence value before deciding whether to sell.
02
More than one number
Valuation, market interest, and final sale terms are not the same.
03
The owner remains in control
You decide what information is released and whether to proceed.
Understanding value
Your business may have more than one “value.”
Business owners are often surprised to learn that an informed valuation and the eventual sale price are not necessarily the same amount. Each answers a different question.
Market interest
What qualified buyers may be willing and able to pay after considering the business through their own objectives and constraints.
Final sale terms
The price, payment structure, working capital, conditions, transition, and liabilities ultimately negotiated between buyer and seller.
A higher stated price is not always the better offer. Cash at closing, financing, earn-outs, retained ownership, transition expectations, and risk allocation all affect what a transaction is truly worth to the owner.
The buyer landscape
Different buyers can create very different outcomes.
The same company can be viewed as a job, an investment, a platform, a competitive opportunity, or a strategic advantage. That is why identifying the right buyer can matter as much as calculating a multiple.
The progression shown is general, not guaranteed. Financing, motivation, risk, terms, and competition can change the outcome.
Management or employees
Strong continuity, but the offer may be limited by personal capital and borrowing capacity.
Owner-operator
Often focused on stable income, personal fit, and the ability to operate the company directly.
Financial buyer
Evaluates sustainable EBITDA, risk, debt capacity, growth potential, and return on investment.
Private equity or investment group
May value scalable systems, capable management, recurring revenue, and add-on opportunities.
Competitor
May recognize value in market share, customers, capacity, territory, talent, and efficiencies.
Strategic buyer
May pay a premium when the acquisition creates unique revenue, cost, capability, or growth advantages.
What shapes value
Buyers look beyond revenue.
A business becomes more transferable—and often more attractive—when its earnings are dependable, its operations are understandable, and its future does not depend entirely on one person.
Sustainable profitability
Normalized EBITDA, margins, cash flow, accurate records, and the likelihood that earnings will continue after ownership changes.
Owner dependence
How much the business relies on the owner for decisions, relationships, knowledge, sales, and daily operations.
Revenue quality
Recurring income, customer retention, contract transferability, concentration, pricing stability, and pipeline reliability.
People and systems
Capable management, experienced employees, documented processes, dependable reporting, and clear responsibilities.
Growth and market position
Industry conditions, competitive strength, realistic expansion opportunities, and barriers that protect the company.
Assets and obligations
Equipment, inventory, property, intellectual property, debt, leases, liabilities, and working-capital requirements.
When a business owner considers selling
Building a successful business and selling one require different skills.
An owner may know the company better than anyone else. That does not necessarily mean the owner has access to the right buyers—or the systems required to manage a confidential transaction.
Most owners sell a business only once or twice. Buyers, investors, lenders, accountants, lawyers, and acquisition professionals may participate in transactions regularly. That difference can place an owner at a disadvantage.
Position
Present the company’s strengths, risks, and opportunities clearly and credibly.
Identify
Approach qualified buyers who are most likely to recognize its particular value.
Protect
Control sensitive information and maintain confidentiality while interest develops.
Negotiate
Compare price and terms, manage momentum, and coordinate professional advisers.
Complete
Guide buyer and seller through due diligence, financing, conditions, and closing.
Professional guidance does not take control away from the owner. It gives the owner the information, structure, buyer access, and transaction support needed to make informed decisions.
A considered first step
Understand the process before making a decision.
You do not need to decide today whether to sell. Start with information, then decide what makes sense for you.
- 01
Complete the questionnaire
Provide preliminary information about the business and what you would like to understand.
- 02
Initial review
The submission is reviewed to identify value drivers, questions, and information that may still be needed.
- 03
Confidential conversation
A team member contacts you personally to clarify the business, your goals, and the next information required.
- 04
Analysis and preparation
Available financial, operational, industry, risk, and opportunity information is considered.
- 05
Receive and review your package
Your business evaluation package is prepared, delivered, and discussed with you.
- 06
Consider your options
Continue operating, improve value drivers, plan succession, prepare for market, or explore a confidential sale.
Private & confidential
Request your confidential business evaluation.
Complete the preliminary questionnaire to help the team understand your business. After reviewing your submission, a team member will contact you for a confidential conversation and any additional information required.
- ✓Your information is reviewed by a person, not converted into an instant online answer.
- ✓You may be asked for supporting financial or operational information.
- ✓Your business is not listed for sale by completing the questionnaire.
- ✓There is no obligation to enter into an engagement.
A complimentary review
A confidential starting point for business owners.
What's My Business Worth.ca offers a complimentary review to help business owners understand what may influence company value.
There is no charge and no obligation to list or sell.