Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

A comprehensive measure of investment performance that combines share price appreciation and dividends over a given period. TSR is a key metric for assessing whether management's investment in both tangible and intangible assets is translating into value creation for shareholders.

The minimum rate of return that a fund must achieve before the general partner becomes entitled to carried interest, or the minimum acceptable return for an investment decision. Hurdle rates are typically set between 6% and 8% in PE/VC fund structures and serve as a performance benchmark that aligns manager and investor incentives.

The rate at which a company integrates and derives value from acquired assets, particularly intangible assets such as technology, talent, and customer relationships following a merger or acquisition. A high absorption rate indicates effective post-deal value capture and is a key indicator of M&A success.

The rate used to convert a single-period earnings or cash flow figure into an indication of value, calculated as the discount rate minus the expected long-term sustainable growth rate. The capitalisation rate is the reciprocal of the capitalisation multiple and is used in the capitalisation of earnings method for businesses with stable, predictable income streams.

A private equity and venture capital performance metric measuring the ratio of cumulative cash distributions returned to investors relative to the capital they have contributed. A DPI of 1.0x means investors have received back their original investment.

Net income divided by total assets, indicating how efficiently a company generates profit from its asset base. ROA comparisons across firms should account for differences in intangible asset recognition, as companies with significant off-balance-sheet intangibles may appear more asset-light.

An investment strategy that spreads private equity or venture capital commitments across multiple fund vintage years to reduce the impact of any single economic cycle on portfolio performance. Vintage diversification is a core principle of institutional portfolio construction and helps smooth the J-curve effect inherent in illiquid fund investments.

A private equity or venture capital fund that continues to operate beyond its intended life, holding illiquid portfolio companies that have neither achieved exit nor been written off. Zombie funds present governance challenges, carry ongoing management costs, and often reflect unrealised intangible asset potential that has failed to convert into realisable value.

What is the weighted average cost of capital (WACC)?

WACC is the average cost of all capital sources (debt and equity) a company uses, weighted by their proportions — it is the minimum return the company should generate to satisfy all investors.

What discount rate should I use for intangible asset valuation?

Discount rates for intangible assets typically range from 10-25%, reflecting higher risk than the overall business WACC. Customer relationships sit at the lower end, while in-process R&D commands the highest rates.

How do you select the appropriate discount rate for intangible asset valuations?

Discount rates for intangible assets should reflect the asset-specific risk profile, typically ranging from WACC for lower-risk assets like customer relationships to WACC plus a premium for higher-risk assets like in-process R&D.

What is obsolescence risk and why does it matter in technology valuation?

Obsolescence risk is the danger that technology becomes outdated or superseded, reducing its useful life and economic value — higher for proprietary tech, lower for platforms.