Understanding the value of a business is just as crucial as building it. At Ifakara Innovation Hub (IIH), we recognise that for startups to grow and secure investment, they need a clear understanding of business valuation. That’s why we recently hosted a Business Valuation Workshop for our PDP portfolio startups facilitated by Afropavo Analytics, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to assess, understand, and effectively communicate the worth of their ventures.
For many early-stage startups, securing funding is a key milestone. However, determining how much their business is worth and justifying that valuation to investors is often a challenging process. During the session, startups explored key valuation methods, including the Venture Capital Method, which calculates a company’s value based on its potential future exit, and the Scorecard Method, which evaluates startups against similar businesses in the market to estimate their worth. By understanding these methods, founders gain valuable insights into how investors assess startups and how they can position themselves for funding opportunities.
Beyond valuation calculations, the workshop also focused on preparing startups for deal negotiations. Participants were guided on how to thoroughly understand their financials, including revenue projections, cost structures, and profit margins. They also explored the concept of dilution and its impact on ownership when bringing in investors, ensuring they are equipped to make informed decisions about equity and funding. The session also emphasised negotiation strategies, helping founders build confidence in engaging with investors, structuring fair deals, and securing funding without compromising their long-term business vision.
At IIH, we believe that empowering startups goes beyond funding. By equipping entrepreneurs with practical business knowledge, we are helping them build financially sustainable ventures that can scale successfully. This workshop is part of our broader mission to create investor-ready startups that drive meaningful change in Tanzania’s innovation ecosystem. As we continue to support entrepreneurs developing solutions that address local challenges, we remain committed to ensuring they have the skills to navigate the financial landscape, attract investment, and achieve long-term impact.