Singapore SME transaction multiples by sector
Indicative enterprise value to normalised EBITDA ranges. Free to use and cite, attribution appreciated.
| Sector | Low | High | Sector guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| F&B (restaurants, cafes, central kitchen) | 2.5x | 4.0x | Read |
| Logistics and freight | 3.5x | 5.5x | Read |
| Manufacturing and engineering | 4.0x | 6.0x | Read |
| Education and enrichment | 4.0x | 6.5x | Read |
| Healthcare and clinics | 5.0x | 8.0x | Read |
| IT services and software | 5.0x | 9.0x | Read |
| Construction and M&E | 2.5x | 4.0x | Read |
| Trading and distribution | 3.0x | 5.0x | Read |
| Retail | 2.5x | 4.0x | Read |
| Cleaning, security, facilities | 3.0x | 5.0x | Read |
| Marine and offshore | 3.0x | 5.0x | Read |
| Professional services | 3.5x | 5.5x | Read |
| E-commerce | 3.0x | 6.0x | Read |
| Printing and packaging | 3.0x | 4.5x | Read |
| Beauty and wellness | 2.5x | 4.5x | Read |
| Childcare and preschool | 5.0x | 8.0x | Read |
| Interior and renovation | 2.5x | 4.0x | Read |
| Automotive | 3.0x | 4.5x | Read |
| Events and media | 2.5x | 4.5x | Read |
| Other | 3.0x | 5.0x | Read |
Methodology
Ranges describe enterprise value as a multiple of normalised EBITDA for Singapore SME transactions in the S$1m to S$30m band. Normalised EBITDA means reported profit with interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation added back, personal and one-off items removed, and owner remuneration restated to a market rate for the role.
Where a business sits inside its range is decided mostly by four factors: whether revenue is contracted or recurring, customer concentration, whether there is management below the owner, and how quickly the financial records can be verified. Moving up one turn of the multiple is usually worth more than a year of trading growth.
Limitations
These are indicative ranges for orientation, not valuations, and they are not a promise of price. Individual transactions fall outside them in both directions. Enterprise value is also not what a seller receives: debt, surplus cash, the working capital adjustment and deal structure all sit between the two.
(sample figures) These ranges are carried over from the approved design prototype and are pending replacement with our own transaction data.
Citing this table
Free to reproduce with a link to this page. The CSV above contains the same figures with the period stamp.
Want a range for your own business?
The estimator applies these multiples to your numbers and adjusts for owner dependency, size and track record.