What intangible assets do startups typically have?
Short Answer
Startups typically hold intangible assets including proprietary technology, brand identity, founder expertise, customer relationships, IP (patents, trade secrets), and organisational processes — often unrecognised on the balance sheet.
Full Explanation
Most startup value resides in intangible assets, yet few founders can identify or quantify them. Common startup intangibles include: Technology — proprietary software, algorithms, APIs, and technical architecture (often the largest single asset). Brand — name recognition, domain, social media presence, design language, and market positioning. Human capital — founder expertise, team capabilities, and institutional knowledge (not recognised under accounting standards but critical for valuation). Customer relationships — early adopter relationships, beta user communities, and letter of intent or pilot agreements. Intellectual property — patents, patent applications, trade secrets, and copyrights. Organisational processes — documented workflows, playbooks, onboarding systems, and operational knowledge. Data — user behaviour data, market research, and proprietary datasets. For pre-revenue startups, these assets may collectively represent 90%+ of enterprise value, yet none appear on the balance sheet under standard accounting. This creates a communication gap with investors who need to understand what they are paying for. Opagio's questionnaire helps startups map and score their intangible assets across six practical categories, providing a structured framework for investor conversations and valuation discussions.
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