Not Financial or Legal Advice
MainStreet is a technology platform, not a financial adviser, accountant, lawyer, or licensed business broker. All content generated by our AI systems — including business valuations, valuation ranges, confidence scores, Confidential Information Memoranda (CIMs), and teaser documents — is produced algorithmically and is provided for informational and illustrative purposes only.
Nothing on this Platform constitutes:
- A certified business appraisal or fair market value opinion;
- Investment, tax, legal, or M&A advisory services;
- A recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any business or asset;
- A guarantee of any specific outcome in a sale transaction.
AI Valuation Limitations
Our AI valuation engine uses standard SMB valuation methodologies (Seller's Discretionary Earnings multiples, revenue multiples, and asset-based approaches) applied to financial data provided by the seller. Valuations are subject to significant limitations including:
- Data quality: Valuations are only as reliable as the underlying financial data. Incomplete, inaccurate, or fraudulently presented data will produce unreliable results.
- Market conditions: AI-generated multiples are based on historical comparable transactions and may not reflect current market conditions, buyer demand, or macroeconomic factors.
- Qualitative factors: AI cannot fully assess management quality, customer concentration risk, competitive position, regulatory exposure, or other qualitative factors that affect real-world transaction prices.
- Normalisation: Add-backs, owner compensation adjustments, and one-time expenses require human judgement that AI models approximate but cannot guarantee.
Seller Responsibility for Accuracy
Sellers are solely responsible for the accuracy of financial data they upload and the representations they make about their businesses. MainStreet performs automated data quality checks but does not audit, verify, or certify financial statements. Buyers should commission independent due diligence, including a quality-of-earnings (QoE) analysis, before completing any acquisition.
No Broker-Client Relationship
Use of this Platform does not create a broker-client, adviser-client, or fiduciary relationship between you and MainStreet. We do not owe you a duty of care in respect of any transaction you complete through or as a result of using this Platform.
Brokers registered on the Platform are independent third parties. Their advice, valuations, and representations are their own and not those of MainStreet.
Regulatory Notice — Securities
Business acquisitions may involve the sale of securities in certain jurisdictions. This Platform is not registered as a securities dealer or investment dealer in any jurisdiction. If your transaction involves equity interests, promissory notes, or other instruments that may constitute securities, you must consult a licensed securities professional and comply with all applicable securities laws.
Canadian Users
This Platform is accessible to users in Canada. Canadian users should be aware that business brokerage is regulated differently across provinces. In provinces where business brokerage requires a real estate licence (e.g., British Columbia, Ontario), you should verify that any broker you engage holds the appropriate licence. MainStreet does not hold a real estate licence and does not act as a broker in any province.
Recommendation
Before completing any business acquisition or sale, we strongly recommend engaging:
- A Certified Business Appraiser (CBA) or Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) for a formal valuation;
- A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA/CA) to review financials and assess tax implications;
- A licensed M&A attorney to draft and review purchase agreements;
- A licensed business broker where transaction complexity warrants professional representation.