#252 A CFO’s Guide to True Business Valuation with Dan Eyman, Managing Director of Meld Valuation
Business valuation is a critical responsibility for CFOs, especially as companies navigate funding rounds, acquisitions, or exits. In this episode, Dan Eyman, Managing Director of Meld Valuation, joins host Kevin Appleby to demystify the process and underscore why understanding true business value is essential for financial leaders. The conversation opens by highlighting the importance of rational, well-supported valuations and the pivotal role CFOs play in ensuring financial organization and transparency.
Eyman shares his journey from cell biology to valuation expert, offering practical insights into the common pitfalls founders and finance teams encounter. He explains why valuations can often be “smoke and mirrors,” driven by optics rather than economic reality, and stresses the need for CFOs to be proactive, organized, and realistic. The discussion also explores the impact of market cycles, the influence of AI on valuations, and the necessity of qualitative judgment alongside quantitative analysis. Throughout, Eyman provides actionable advice for CFOs preparing for valuation, emphasizing the value of a strong finance function and a compelling narrative to support the numbers.
About Dan Eyman
Dan Eyman is the Managing Director of Meld Valuation, a firm specializing in independent, audit-ready valuations for venture-backed startups and venture capital firms. With over two decades of experience in valuation and financial advisory, Dan has worked with early- and growth-stage companies across a range of industries, guiding them through complex financial decisions related to fundraising, equity compensation, and M&A. He is known for his expertise in the valuation of complex instruments such as convertible debt and SAFEs, as well as 409A valuations and ASC 820 fair value measurements. Dan’s commitment to delivering clear, defensible valuations has made him a trusted partner to founders, CFOs, and investors. Through Meld Valuation, he continues to support the startup ecosystem by offering insight-driven services that help companies, venture firms, and their stakeholders make informed financial decisions with confidence.
Key topics covered:
- The importance of rational, well-supported business valuations for CFOs
- Common mistakes founders and finance teams make in the valuation process
- Why valuations are often driven by optics rather than true economic value
- The impact of market cycles and AI hype on company valuations
- The critical role of management quality and organized financials in achieving accurate valuations
- Actionable tips for CFOs preparing for a valuation process
Links
Timestamps
- 0:04:22 Introduction of Dan Eyman and the importance of business valuation
- 0:05:17 Dan Eyman’s background and entry into the valuation field
- 0:09:00 Common mistakes in valuation and the need for early CFO involvement
- 0:13:51 Why valuations can be “smoke and mirrors” and the reality behind headline numbers
- 0:18:41 The impact of AI and market cycles on valuation trends
- 0:39:07 The role of management quality and organized financials in valuation
- 0:45:13 Practical tips for CFOs preparing for a valuation
- 0:51:09 Final advice for businesses: be rational, organized, and build a compelling valuation story
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