Free tool · No signup
Startup Valuation Calculator
What is your startup worth? Two honest answers: the valuation your raise implies from the dilution you will sell, and the valuation your ARR supports at market multiples. Run both, then check the stage benchmarks.
Method 1 — dilution math (pre-revenue and early)
Implied post-money valuation
$13.3M
Method 2 — revenue multiple (once you have traction)
Traction-supported valuation
$4.0M
Multiple guide: 2–3x for <30% growth, 4–6x for 50%+ growth, 8–12x for 100%+ growth with strong retention. Multiples move with public markets — sanity-check against recent raises in your space.
2026 stage benchmarks (post-money)
| Stage | Typical band | How it's priced |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-seed | $5M–$15M | Priced by dilution; almost always post-money SAFEs. |
| Seed | $15M–$40M | Dilution still dominant; revenue multiples start to matter. |
| Series A | $40M–$120M | ARR multiples take over; growth rate is the driver. |
| Series B | $120M–$400M | Pure traction pricing; comparables and efficiency metrics. |
If your two methods disagree wildly, believe the market: price to sell 10–20% for 18–24 months of runway at your stage's band. A stretched valuation only defers the reckoning to the next round.
YC Insights Pro
Found the number? Now see how funded founders got theirs.
46 databases and 100+ founder stories on YC applications, valuations, equity splits and first customers — unlimited access for $49/year.
Cancel anytime · 5 free stories a month, no account needed · Secure checkout by Dodo Payments
Next step
Valuation starts with the standard deal
YC's $500K on a post-money SAFE is the anchor most pre-seed valuations get measured against. Know the deal before you name your number.
Understand the YC dealRelated tools
Free tool
Pre-Seed Valuation Calculator
Stress-test SAFE cap scenarios for your raise.
Open toolFree tool
Startup Dilution Calculator
See how this round compounds over future rounds.
Open toolFree tool
SaaS Metrics Calculator
Check whether your ARR growth supports the multiple.
Open toolBrowse all free YC tools.
How to use this tool
Step 1
Run the dilution math
Enter your planned raise and the percentage you are willing to sell.
Step 2
Run the multiple math
Enter ARR and a revenue multiple that matches your growth rate.
Step 3
Check the benchmarks
See whether both numbers land inside the typical band for your stage.
Free YC databases
Everything behind this page is in our open databases
Batch lists, rejection case studies, RFS playbooks and launch guides — all free to read, no signup.
Index
List of YC Companies →
Searchable index of YC alumni by batch, from Airbnb (W09) to the newest AI startups.
Database
YC Rejection Database →
Airbnb, Stripe, Reddit — founders who got rejected first, with every source linked.
Playbook
RFS Playbook 2026 →
All 15 YC Request for Startups ideas, each turned into a customer, wedge and 90-day plan.
Browse all free YC databases → · or start on the YCInsight homepage
FAQ
How much is my startup worth?
At the earliest stages, a startup is worth what investors will pay for the agreed dilution: raise $2M for 15% and you have priced at a $13.3M post-money. Later, revenue multiples take over — high-growth SaaS often trades at 6–12x ARR, slower businesses at 2–4x.
What is a typical startup valuation by stage in 2026?
Rough bands: pre-seed $5M–$15M, seed $15M–$40M, Series A $40M–$120M, Series B $120M–$400M post-money. Exceptional teams, AI-adjacent companies and hot markets sit above the band; cold markets and weak traction below it.
How do revenue multiples work?
Investors apply a multiple of annual recurring revenue based on growth and margins. A SaaS company growing 100%+ year over year with strong net retention might earn 8–12x ARR; one growing 30% with high churn might earn 2–3x. Multiples compress fast when public markets fall.
How much should I raise relative to valuation?
Raise enough for 18–24 months of runway and sell 10–20% per round. If you need $2M for 18 months and want to stay near 15% dilution, you are pricing at roughly a $13M post-money — work backward from runway, not from a number you want to say out loud.
Does a higher valuation mean a better deal?
Not always. A very high cap with low ownership sold is fine, but a stretched priced-round valuation sets the bar for the next round — down rounds wreck morale, trigger anti-dilution and spook future investors. A fair price with a clean structure usually wins long term.
Is this startup valuation calculator free?
Yes. No signup, nothing stored — everything runs in your browser.
Keep reading
Deep dive
The YC SAFE, Explained →
Post-money SAFE mechanics, cap tables, and what founders actually sign.
Deep dive
The $500K YC Deal →
How the standard $125K + $375K SAFE actually works.
Fundraising
Post-Money SAFE Explained →
Cap math, dilution tables, MFN clauses and the four standard forms.
Database
List of YC Companies →
Searchable database of YC alumni by batch — Airbnb to Cursor.
New here? Start on the YCInsight homepage — every YC database, founder story and Q&A in one place. Or jump straight to the free YC databases.