Know Your Worth: Set a Smart Valuation (Without Guessing)

How much is your startup worth? Can you defend that number? In this session, we’ll break down how early-stage startups are valued (even without revenue), the difference between pre-money and post-money, and how to confidently justify your ask to investors.

How much is your startup worth—and can you defend that number?When it comes to raising capital, your valuation is more than just a number—it’s a reflection of your business potential, your traction, and your credibility. At the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, we’re here to help you approach valuation with strategy, not guesswork.

This first half of the session is free and open to the public and will guide you through how early-stage companies—even pre-revenue ones—are valued.

You’ll gain clarity on:

• The difference between pre-money and post-money valuation
• How traction, team, market size, and model influence your valuation
• What investors look for in early-stage companies
• How to avoid common pitfalls when negotiating valuation

Best for:Founders preparing for a raise, building financial models, or entering pitch competitions who want to strengthen their investor readiness.

The second half is an interactive workshop where you’ll work alongside NEC capital experts to model your startup’s valuation—and understand how it impacts your ownership and future fundraising.

You’ll build and simulate your startup’s valuation using Gust’s cap table tool, while comparing different fundraising approaches and how they affect equity.

What You’ll Do:

• Model a simple cap table with pre- and post-money scenarios
• Compare SAFEs vs. Convertible Notes
• Simulate how valuation caps and funding terms affect founder equity
• Walk away with a clear, defensible initial valuation—and the language to explain it

This session is:✅ Free for NEC Members💵 $49 for Non-Members

No financial background required—just come ready to learn and apply.

• A basic but effective valuation model tailored to your startup
• A working cap table to guide future fundraising
• Clarity on how different investment terms affect equity and ownership
• The ability to explain and justify your valuation with confidence

Thank you to our Community Partners,, and Metro Nashville for helping to make this event possible. And a huge shoutout to the EC's Growth Partners for their support of our founder community:,,,and.

Parking: Parking is available in the red brick garage located behind the trolley barns (entrance on 15 Lea Avenue); please come inside to the front desk to scan the QR code for validation up to 3 hours.

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