Ohio TechAngels · 2010s
Risk Factor Summation
Treat as a risk-dimension audit rather than a precise number. The output is best read as 'this is the rough adjustment factor' — most valuations land within ±$1.5M of the base.
Best for
Sanity-checking valuations against 12 enumerated risk dimensions.
Formula
Base valuation ± (Σ risk scores × $250K) — each factor scored -2 to +2Inputs needed
- Base valuation (typically regional median or Berkus anchor)
- 12 risk factors: management, stage, legislation/political, manufacturing, sales/marketing, funding, competition, technology, litigation, international, reputation, exit potential
- Score each factor -2 (very negative) to +2 (very positive)
Caveats
- The 12 risk dimensions are deliberately broad — most pre-revenue startups have meaningful risk in 6-9 of them
- $250K per score-point is a 2010s convention; some investors use $200K or $300K
- Useful as a check on the Scorecard method, not usually as the standalone primary method
Source
↗ https://eqvista.com/risk-factor-summation-method/Verified 2026-06-03.
Other methods