If you're preparing to issue stock options or grants, a 409A valuation is a necessary step to establish the fair market value (FMV) of your company’s common shares. While Equidam simplifies the valuation process, there’s still a bit of preparation involved. Here’s a checklist of what you’ll need beyond the financial projections and qualitative data you input directly on the platform.
Key Company Information
You’ll need to provide some foundational information about your company:
Legal name and any DBA (Doing Business As) names
Website URL and Tax ID number
Incorporation address
Primary contact details (name, email, and title)
A brief description of your business (at least one paragraph)
Financing & Legal Details
Date of your most recent financing round
Details on your outside legal counsel (firm and attorney name)
Audit firm name (if applicable)
Core Financial & Legal Documents
You'll need to upload the following documents (all as of the desired valuation date):
Capitalization table
Equity ledger (including grants, exercise prices, and vesting schedules)
Certificate of Incorporation (plus Articles of Association if incorporated outside the U.S.)
Financial statements (LTM and prior 3 fiscal years, including Balance Sheet and Income Statement in Excel)
Latest investor deck or business overview presentation
Documentation of convertible notes, SAFEs, warrants, and long-term debt
Any previous valuation reports from the last five years (excluding Equidam and EtonVS)
Performance & Outlook
Cash runway (based on current burn)
Lead investor from the most recent round and whether it was an inside or new investor
Expected time to liquidity/exit (in years)
Company performance since the last round (rated 1–5)
Updates on technology or financial milestones
IPO considerations, if any
Indications of interest from potential acquirers or investors
Planned stock or option grants for the next 12 months
Details of any secondary sales of company stock
Strategic Context
A chronological list of key corporate achievements
A list of relevant M&A transactions in your sector
Having these materials organized in advance will ensure a smooth and efficient 409A valuation process with Equidam. It also gives you better clarity on your company’s standing—both internally and in the broader market.
Need help preparing? We're here to support you every step of the way.
Read more about Equidam's 409A solution, as well as ESOP valuation for other regions, on Valuation for Equity Compensation page.