2020 Annual
US VC Valuations Report
March 1, 2021
How US VC valuations stood up to pandemic volatility
Both early- and late-stage valuations in the US reached new heights in Q4 2020, resulting in a strong end to a volatile year that at first seemed destined to be defined by uncertainty. The median late-stage figure hit $120 million in Q4, surpassing $100 million for the first time, and the early stage continued its steady growth to set a record quarterly median of $35 million.
Our 2020 Annual US VC Valuations Report examines the ways a convergence of factors—including record dry powder, a flight to quality, and the market rally—helped drive the surge. Key takeaways include:
• Sustained participation from nontraditional investors helped enable valuations to remain elevated—especially at the upper quartile.
• The median public listing size climbed above $510 million, a 39% increase year-over-year and part of a surprisingly successful exit market on the heels of 2019's all-time record.
• Valuations declined at only the angel and seed stages as investors sought higher returns from riskier investments.
Both early- and late-stage valuations in the US reached new heights in Q4 2020, resulting in a strong end to a volatile year that at first seemed destined to be defined by uncertainty. The median late-stage figure hit $120 million in Q4, surpassing $100 million for the first time, and the early stage continued its steady growth to set a record quarterly median of $35 million.
Our 2020 Annual US VC Valuations Report examines the ways a convergence of factors—including record dry powder, a flight to quality, and the market rally—helped drive the surge. Key takeaways include:
• Sustained participation from nontraditional investors helped enable valuations to remain elevated—especially at the upper quartile.
• The median public listing size climbed above $510 million, a 39% increase year-over-year and part of a surprisingly successful exit market on the heels of 2019's all-time record.
• Valuations declined at only the angel and seed stages as investors sought higher returns from riskier investments.