The 3 Exit Multiples Founders Need to Understand (And How to Increase Yours)

If you’ve ever asked, “What’s my business worth?” the answer usually depends on one thing: your multiple.

Here are the three most common types of multiples buyers use:

1. Revenue Multiple (common in SaaS/e-commerce)
2. EBITDA Multiple (most common in services and PE-backed deals)
3. SDE Multiple (for smaller founder-led companies)

Founders typically get 3x–5x EBITDA. But premium buyers will pay up to 8x–9x if:

• You have recurring revenue
• Clean books and contracts
• A strong growth narrative

Your multiple isn’t fixed. It’s a story you can shape.

Take the 2-question quiz to get your custom multiple range.