Early Stage Valuation

CHAPTER 6Discounted Cash Flow Method

John Jackmanand Antonella Puca

The discounted cash flow (DCF) method is an income-based approach in which enterprise value is estimated based on the present value of the company's expected cash flows, discounted at a rate that reflects the risk of these cash flows. The credibility of the DCF method lies in a reliable cash flow forecast and well-developed discount rates. The estimate of a discount rate that considers both the prospective of the firm in acquiring its capital resources (cost of capital) and of market participants in pursuing their risk/return objectives (rate of return) is an important step in ensuring that a DCF model for an early stage enterprise (ESE) is reasonable and consistent with fair value principles.

This chapter develops a DCF model to estimate enterprise value under the fair value standards of ASC 820/IFRS 13, using a venture-backed ESE as an example. After presenting the model's components and key assumptions in some detail, the chapter shows how a DCF model can be built to reflect the special characteristics of an ESE using a scenario analysis to account for the company's risk of failure. We then discuss how a DCF model can be calibrated to estimate the fair value of the enterprise in subsequent measurement.¹ As we walk through our model, we highlight some key considerations concerning the valuation process and the documentation requirements under the Mandatory Performance Framework (MPF).²

In his studies of early ...