How Do Investors Generally Estimate an Exit Valuation for a Startup

Multiple Choice

How do investors generally estimate an exit valuation for a startup technology venture?

A) They add up all the sales over the course of five years, and that is the number.
B) They add up all the profits over the course of five years, and that is the number.
C) They look at the predicted balance sheet at year five and use the projected book value of the business as the number.
D) They look at projected revenues at the end of year five and apply and industry standard multiple to that number based on recent mergers and acquisitions. Then they study the business financials to make sure the business model can generate operating profit.