What makes Cake's 409A different from other providers?

Integrated into your cap table

Your cap table data feeds the valuation directly, so there's no manual export, no reformatting, and no re-entry of strike prices once the report is finalised.

Removing those manual steps is what makes Cake's 409A faster and less expensive than the traditional process, and it removes a real source of error along with the time.

Experienced appraisers

Cake's 409A is performed by a team of seasoned professionals who hold CFA, CVA, and CPA designations. Collectively, they've completed over 10,000 valuations across two decades, refining their approach across industries from SaaS and biotech to manufacturing and media.

When you initiate a 409A valuation through Cake's dashboard, you're assigned a dedicated appraiser who will deliver your report within 3 business days of submitting your information. After the valuation is complete, you have the opportunity for a one-on-one discussion to review the report and ask questions.

Faster turnaround doesn't mean less accurate

It's easy to assume a 3-day turnaround must mean corners are being cut compared to the traditional 2-to-4-week process. This assumption gets the mechanics backwards.

The traditional timeline was never mostly about analysis time. It was data handling: exporting a cap table, the back-and-forths, waiting on information requests, then re-entering strike prices by hand once the report came back.

Integrating the data gathering process directly into your cap table not only saves time and cost but also eliminates potential errors.

Built to withstand audit scrutiny

Cake's integrated valuators follow US GAAP standards and stay current with guidance from bodies like the AICPA and the Appraisal Foundation. Reports are audit-ready and accepted by Big Four accounting firms, built to hold up under the kind of scrutiny a Series A audit or acquisition due diligence brings.