Hi, I’m Chris Walton, author of this guide and CEO of Eton Venture Services.
I’ve spent much of my career working as a corporate transactional lawyer at Gunderson Dettmer, becoming an expert in tax law & venture financing. Since starting Eton, my team and I have completed thousands of valuations for M&A teams, startups, and individuals.
Read my full bio here.
In our 15+ years in the valuation industry, we’ve evaluated thousands of businesses, from tech startups needing rapid 409A valuations to complex M&A deals requiring litigation-proof results.
We know firsthand which firms can deliver valuations that hold up under scrutiny and support your sale, investment, or strategic goals.
Here’s our curated list of the top valuation companies to ensure you get the accurate sale price your business deserves.
Whichever valuation provider you choose, be sure to ask them about these five key factors:
Professional Credentials | Ensure the team has qualified professionals (e.g., CFAs, CPAs) and that they stay updated on industry standards. This speaks to their credibility and commitment to high standards. |
Compliance and Audit Standards | Confirm that their reports are audit-ready and meet compliance standards—especially if the valuation will be used for tax, legal, or investor purposes. |
Depth of Experience | Beyond years in the field, consider the firm’s experience with businesses of your size and stage. Valuing a startup requires a different approach than valuing a mature, established company. |
Timeliness and Reliability | Valuations often have a timeline, especially for transactions or reporting. Ask about their typical timeline and ability to meet deadlines. |
Commitment to Ongoing Support | Ideally, the firm provides post-valuation support, answering questions, and offering updates if necessary—especially important for compliance and transaction-related valuations. |
We can personally vouch for each of the firms recommended below. Let’s start with what makes us special at Eton.
Eton Venture Services brings over 15 years of valuation expertise, delivering audit-ready, client-centered valuation services for SMEs, tech startups, and private equity.
About us:
Here’s why we lead the field:
Specialized Team | We only focus on business valuation services. Our team of Big 4-trained analysts is highly experienced in all types of business valuations—from pre-revenue startups to complex mergers. We know all the challenges you’ll face in your business valuation process and how to overcome them. |
Rapid, Reliable Turnaround | We can deliver audit-ready, compliant business valuation services to almost any deadline. Need a 24 hour turnaround? We can make that happen. |
Defensible, Audit-Ready Reports | Our valuations are defensible in court and compliance audits, reducing risk and ensuring confidence. We’re fully qualified and ready to support you should your valuation be litigated. |
Tailored Valuations for Every Business | Each valuation is customized to your business model and assets. Read our guide to learn more about our SME valuation process. |
Responsive, Expert Support | We pride ourselves on customer service. We’ll provide boutique, custom services—no automation or palming you off to unskilled account managers here. |
Click here to get a free valuation consultation with us.
Our Business Valuation Services
We deliver fast, accurate business valuation services across a variety of areas, including:
As a full-service business valuation provider, if your specific needs aren’t mentioned in this list, we likely still do it. Please reach out to us or explore the website further.
Learn from our expert articles:
Kroll is recognized for its extensive global reach and comprehensive risk and financial advisory solutions, making it a powerhouse in the industry.
Given Kroll’s size and global footprint, you can expect a wealth of industry experience and a wide range of expert services.
However, those seeking more personalized, high-touch service may find Kroll’s corporate approach less appealing compared to smaller firms focused on individualized client experiences.
Teknos Associates offers deep industry knowledge in technology, life sciences, blockchain, and other growth sectors. Their services span corporate advisory, tax compliance, financial reporting valuation services, and litigation support.
This is a great option for businesses in the industries specified but they’re not the only option. Make sure they meet other criteria such as cost, turnaround time, and great customer service.
If Eton doesn’t feel like a fit, the first recommendation I’d make is for valuationresearch.com, or VRC.
VRC is an independent global valuation firm that has been focusing on valuations and advisory services since 1975.
They operate across multiple locations, including major cities in the U.S.
Their in-house valuation services cover businesses, equity and debt securities, loans, derivative instruments, structured products, intangible assets, fixed assets, and real estate.
My one word of caution is that due to their size and scope, you may not get much attention or the hyper-specialization your valuation requires.
📚 You might also like: 7 Top Healthcare Valuation Firms in 2024
Aranca is a global research, analytics, and advisory firm, who extends its expertise to include business valuation services.
Their specialization in serving global clients positions them uniquely for businesses outside of the US, offering advantages such as diverse market insights and global expertise.
US-based businesses might encounter challenges related to time differences and the need for rapid, personalized communication that is critical in business valuations.
Stout is a global advisory firm that specializes in investment banking, accounting, transaction advisory, valuation advisory, and disputes, claims, and investigations.
They cater to both public corporations and privately held companies across various industries.
If you need a more complex and specialized valuation, Stout is a good choice.
It offers the most comprehensive range of valuation services in the industry. This includes:
As a global enterprise, you can be sure they have the resources and expertise. What you might find lacking is their attention to the client and fast standard processes.
Renowned for its expertise in financial advisory services, Houlihan Lokey offers exceptional valuation services across a broad spectrum of industries.
They have over 400 valuation professionals globally and focus on delivering valuations for private and public companies, portfolio companies, intangible assets, and complex financial instruments.
Due to their size and industry experience, their business valuation services may cost more than at a boutique firm like Eton.
| Experience | Time to Completion | Cost | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eton | Big 4 trained financial analysts with experience across all business valuation types | Standard business valuations in 10 days or less | Affordable (starting at $5000) |
| 2 | VRC | Over 300 U.S.-based professionals and an international network of nearly 1,500 valuation experts | Moderate timeline | Unknown |
| 3 | Teknos Associate | Experience valuing businesses in information technology, life sciences, alternative energy/cleantech, and blockchain technology/cryptocurrency | Moderate timeline | Unknown |
| 4 | Kroll | Has strong experience in retail and real-estate industry valuations | Slow | Unknown |
| 5 | Aranca | Experience valuing companies from around the world | Slow | Unknown |
| 6 | Stout | Experienced in a wide range of complex and specialized valuation services | Slow | Unknown |
| 7 | Houlihan Lokey | Offers valuation services across many industries, with a team of over 400 professionals worldwide | Slow | Unknown |
Want a business valuation company with expertise you can trust at affordable prices and with first-class customer service? Get in touch with us here.
Have questions about valuation companies? I answer them below:
A company valuation is a critical process that determines the monetary value of a business at a specific point in time.
It provides essential insights for investors, buyers, and sellers, guiding their decisions in various business transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, and investments.
Here are some use cases of a company valuation:
Investment Decision:
Investors use company valuations to decide whether to invest their money in a particular business.
A higher valuation might indicate a promising investment opportunity, while a lower valuation might signal potential risks.
Mergers and Acquisitions:
Valuations play a key role in negotiations during mergers and acquisitions.
Companies use valuation insights to determine a fair price for acquiring or merging with another business.
Selling a Business:
For business owners looking to sell their company, a valuation helps establish an appropriate asking price.
A comprehensive valuation analysis can attract potential buyers and facilitate a smoother sales process.
Strategic Planning:
Companies utilize valuation data to make strategic decisions about growth opportunities, resource allocation, and competitive positioning.
Valuations inform long-term planning initiatives and help businesses chart a course for future success.
A standard business valuation, especially those for small businesses with limited complexity, will cost between $5000 and $10,000.
But in some complex cases, they can cost up to $100,000.
The exact price depends on what valuation method is required, the complexity and size of your business, and the purpose behind the valuation.
No matter your size, there are some instances where your business valuation is more likely to exceed $10,000:
If you’d like a complete breakdown of the cost, please read this article: Business Valuation Services Cost: How Much Is Normal in 2024
The party responsible for paying for a business valuation often depends on the context in which the valuation is being conducted:
Schedule a free consultation meeting to discuss your valuation needs.
Chris co-founded Eton Venture Services in 2010 to provide mission-critical valuations to venture-based companies. He works closely with each client’s leadership team, board of directors, internal / external counsel, and independent auditor to develop detailed financial models and create accurate, audit-proof valuations.
