This methodology begins with the standard CAPM, which calculates the cost of equity by adding a market risk premium to the risk-free rate, adjusted for the beta (volatility relative to the market) of the firm. For startups and less mature firms, additional layers are added to this basic calculation to accurately reflect their unique risk profile:
Base Cost of Capital for a Mature Firm: Start by estimating the cost of capital for a mature firm in the same industry. This serves as the base rate, reflecting the inherent industry risk.
Illiquidity Premium: To this base rate, add an illiquidity premium. This premium accounts for the additional risk associated with the startup's size and stage, acknowledging that smaller and less established firms face higher risks due to lower market liquidity.
Adjustment for Startup Survival Rate: Finally, the resultant figure is adjusted by multiplying it with the historical survival rate of startups. This adjustment reflects the high risk of startups not continuing as going concerns, a reality that significantly impacts their risk profile compared to more established companies.
This build-up approach to the Cost of Capital allows for a more nuanced understanding of the risks associated with startups and young companies, leading to a more realistic and tailored estimation of their cost of capital.
Learning Materials
Cost of Capital Methodology
To illustrate this nuanced approach to calculating the Cost of Capital for startups or less mature firms, let's use a fictional startup, ""TechInnovate,"" operating in the emerging tech industry, as an example.
Step 1: Base Cost of Capital for a Mature Firm
First, we look at the established companies within the emerging tech industry to estimate a base cost of capital. Assume we find that, on average, mature firms in this sector have a cost of capital of 10%. This figure reflects the inherent risks and opportunities within the industry, serving as our starting point.
Step 2: Illiquidity Premium
Given TechInnovate's status as a startup, its shares are not as easily traded as those of a mature company, leading to an illiquidity premium. We decide to add an additional 5% to account for this, recognizing the challenges investors might face if they wish to sell their shares quickly. This premium compensates for the reduced market liquidity associated with investing in a smaller, less established firm.
Step 3: Adjustment for Startup Survival Rate
Understanding that startups have a higher risk of failure compared to established companies, we look at historical data and find that only 50% of startups in the emerging tech sector survive past their fifth year. To account for this high risk of failure, we adjust the combined cost of capital (base plus illiquidity premium) by the survival rate. If the combined rate is 15% (10% base + 5% illiquidity premium), multiplying this by the 50% survival rate adjusts the cost of capital downward to reflect the significant risk of investing in a startup that may not endure.
In this example, the adjusted cost of capital for TechInnovate would be 7.5% (15% * 50%), acknowledging the high risk but also the potential for significant growth and returns if the startup succeeds.
This approach offers a more detailed and realistic method for evaluating the cost of capital for startups like TechInnovate. By starting with the industry baseline and incorporating adjustments for liquidity and survival risks, investors and analysts can arrive at a cost of capital that more accurately reflects the unique challenges and opportunities faced by startups and less mature firms.