Most business owners have no idea what their business would actually sell for. We'll give you a professional Opinion of Value based on your real financials, industry multiples, and current market conditions — free, and completely confidential.
Fill out the form below and James will reach out within one business day to schedule a confidential call.
There's no single formula that works for every business. IBB uses the method that best fits your business type, size, and industry — and explains it in plain English.
The go-to method for owner-operated businesses under $5M in revenue. SDE adds back the owner's salary, personal expenses run through the business, depreciation, and one-time costs to show the true earnings available to a buyer.
Best for: Restaurants, retail, trades, service businesses with an active owner-operator.
Used for businesses large enough to run without the owner day-to-day. EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) normalizes earnings across capital structure differences and is the preferred metric for institutional and strategic buyers.
Best for: Businesses over $1M SDE, management teams in place, lower owner dependency.
When the business itself has limited profitability but holds significant hard assets — equipment, real property, inventory, or IP — value is driven by what those assets are worth. Common in manufacturing, construction, and asset-heavy distribution.
Best for: Manufacturing, construction, equipment-intensive businesses, or distressed situations.
Multiples represent how many times earnings a buyer is willing to pay. They vary by industry, profitability, size, and transferability. These are general ranges — your actual multiple depends on the specifics of your business.
Source: BizBuySell transaction data & IBB market analysis. Ranges reflect SDE multiples for businesses under $5M revenue.
| Industry | SDE Multiple Range | Avg. Multiple | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology / SaaS | 3.0x–6.0x | 4.2x | High |
| Professional Services | 2.0x–4.0x | 2.9x | Medium |
| Restaurant / Food Service | 1.0x–2.5x | 1.6x | Lower |
Multiples shown are a sample across industries. Your actual valuation depends on your specific financials, buyer pool, deal structure, and market conditions — which IBB evaluates directly.
Two businesses in the same industry with identical revenue can sell for very different prices. Here's what buyers actually look at — and what IBB's Exit Readiness program addresses before you go to market.
A real valuation takes more than a calculator. Here's what happens after you submit the form.
Tell us the basics about your business. James reviews every submission personally and responds within one business day.
A 30–45 minute call to understand your goals, your financials, and your business. Everything discussed stays strictly private.
We review 2–3 years of tax returns and P&Ls to calculate true SDE or EBITDA and identify legitimate add-backs.
You receive a written Opinion of Value with your estimated range, the methodology used, and the factors that most affect your number.
Most owners are surprised by what their business is actually worth. Get a professional valuation first — then decide if and when to sell.