What is the relevance of valuation in Corporate Finance?

Valuation plays a crucial role at every stage of a firm’s life cycle. For small private businesses looking to expand, valuation becomes essential when approaching foreign investors, venture capitalists, or private equity firms for capital infusion. The share of ownership an investor will demand in exchange for funding depends on the firm’s estimated value. As companies grow and plan to go public, the share price for public issuance is determined based on the firm’s value, aligning with applicable laws and regulations. Additionally, key decisions such as fund allocation, borrowing from financial institutions, and returns to owners are all influenced by the valuation of the firm.