Frequently Asked Questions

A 409A valuation is an independent appraisal of your company's common stock required by the IRS when issuing stock options to employees. You need one before granting any employee equity for the first time, as an annual refresh (409A valuations are valid for 12 months), after material events such as new funding rounds or significant business changes, and to obtain safe harbor protection that ensures IRS compliance and protects against penalties. Without a proper 409A valuation, your company and employees could face significant tax penalties.

We guarantee delivery within 14 business days from receiving all required information. Our typical timeline is: Days 1-2 for information collection and initial review, Days 3-10 for market research, financial modeling, and analysis, Days 11-12 for draft report preparation, and Days 13-14 for client review and final report delivery. Most valuations are actually completed ahead of schedule. For urgent requests, we can often accommodate faster turnaround times.

We provide a detailed checklist, but typically need financial information including financial statements (last 2-3 years), management projections, monthly financials (current year), and revenue breakdown and metrics. We also need corporate documents including cap table and equity structure, articles of incorporation, recent funding documents, and board resolutions. Don't worry if you don't have everything -- we'll work with you to gather the necessary information.

Our proven 8-step process ensures accuracy and compliance: 1) Initial Consultation -- free discussion about your needs, 2) Engagement Letter -- formal agreement with clear scope, 3) Kick-off Meeting -- detailed methodology discussion, 4) Background Research -- market and industry analysis, 5) Financial Modeling -- using multiple valuation approaches, 6) Draft Report -- comprehensive analysis and findings, 7) Management Review -- your feedback and final adjustments, 8) Final Delivery -- report and certificate with ongoing support.

Yes, comprehensive audit defense is included with all our valuations at no additional cost. This means we will respond to any IRS or auditor inquiries about our valuation, provide additional documentation or analysis if needed, stand behind our methodology and conclusions, and support you through the entire audit process. Our valuations follow AICPA guidelines and we are confident in defending our work before any regulatory body.

Our 409A valuation pricing depends on company complexity. Early Stage (pre-revenue to $2M ARR): $2,500 - $3,500. Growth Stage ($2M - $10M ARR): $4,000 - $5,500. Enterprise ($10M+ ARR): $6,000 - $7,500. Refresh valuations (within 12 months) receive a 25% discount. All pricing includes audit defense.

No hidden fees. Our pricing is completely transparent and includes a complete valuation analysis using multiple methodologies, a comprehensive written report with executive summary, certificate of valuation for your records, unlimited audit defense support, and follow-up questions and clarifications. The only additional costs might be expedited delivery (if requested), additional entities or complex structures not discussed upfront, or significant scope changes during the process. We will always discuss any potential additional costs before proceeding.

Several factors set us apart. In terms of experience and expertise: 15+ years in investment banking and corporate law, cross-disciplinary background, and deep understanding of VC finance. In terms of service excellence: guaranteed 14-day turnaround, direct access to senior expertise, and personalized service and attention. We are not the cheapest option, but we provide exceptional value through quality, speed, and service.

Yes, we serve clients worldwide. Our experience includes US companies with international operations, Israeli startups expanding to the US, European companies seeking US investment, and cross-border M&A transactions. We understand the complexities of international business structures and can handle multi-jurisdiction valuations. All work is conducted in English, and we are experienced with various international accounting standards.

Getting started is simple: 1) Contact us via email, call, or our contact form, 2) Free consultation where we discuss your needs and timeline, 3) Proposal with detailed scope and pricing, 4) Engagement to sign the agreement and begin the process. Reach out today to schedule your free consultation.