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Was Instagram worth $1 Billion to Facebook?

Contrary to most reports, Facebook did not pay $1 Billion for Instagram. In fact, the acquisition was completed for $521 million, according to the company’s SEC filing. That document tells us that Instagram’s mostly intangible value was partly comprised of acquired technology and their trade name. $433 million of goodwill in the purchase price was

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7 Reasons 409A Valuation Worth Another Look

Read in Survey Format… Common stock valuations (a.k.a. 409A valuations) are often viewed by companies as necessary evil or insurance policies for an unlikely event of IRS audit. While no signs of IRS scrutiny emerged, 409A valuations play increasingly important role in start-up financial management. Financial Audits: Few companies can attract sizable investors without having

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Is It Time For a New IRC 409A Valuation?

Both early stage start-ups and established companies are required to value shares of equity capital in order to comply with IRC 409A. This section of the Internal Revenue Code deals with deferred compensation, including stock options. Improperly priced stock options may force recipients to pay taxes on income they will never realize. Taxes are avoided

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2Q 2013 Biotechnology Performance and Financing Overview

Biotechnology sector performed well on both public and private markets. Large public biotech stocks continued to climb while smaller stocks remained leveled. Private financing deal flow increased substantially, albeit leaving early stage start-ups behind. Biotech sector experienced an overall increase in VC activity during 2Q 2013 and after much less inspiring first quarter. The comeback

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No more valuing intangible assets for purchase accounting?

We wouldn’t go that far, but the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) endorsed three accounting proposals that simplify US GAAP for private companies: Recognition of intangible assets in purchase accounting (read here …) Goodwill impariment testing (read here …) Pay-fixed interest rate swaps (read here …) 1. Intangible Asset Recognition: Private companies are not to

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What is your company’s true “Valuation?”

A recent headline from “All Things D” declared: “Pinterest Completes $200 Million Funding at $2.5 Billion valuation.” $2.5 Billion is an impressive number we’d like to dwell on for a while. According to TechCrunch, this new round of funding brings the total amount invested in Pinterest to $338 million. Without a doubt, the return is

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