Customer Concentration Risk Will Kill Your Fundraise or Exit
When preparing for fundraising or an exit to private equity, one overlooked metric can derail your deal: customer concentration risk. In episode #308, Ben Murray explains what customer concentration is, why it matters to investors, and how it can directly impact your SaaS valuation.
If too much of your revenue comes from just one or two customers, that risk may scare off private equity buyers or lower your valuation. Ben breaks down how to measure concentration, when it becomes a problem, and why you should start planning now — long before you enter a due diligence process.
What You’ll Learn
• What customer concentration is and how to calculate it.
• Why concentration risk is a key investor metric in fundraising and exit planning.
• How high concentration can lower a company's valuation.
• The difference between strategic buyers and private equity when assessing risk.
• Why SaaS operators must monitor revenue mix as part of long-term financial strategy.
Why It Matters
• Finance & fundraising impact: High concentration can reduce your chances of raising capital or exiting at a premium.
• Valuation risk: Heavy reliance on a small number of customers lowers buyer confidence.
• Investor confidence: PE firms and strategic buyers want diversified, predictable revenue streams.
Resources Mentioned
SaaS Metrics for Investors – What Drives Valuation: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/the-saas-metrics-foundation
Quote from Ben
“If one customer makes up 25% of revenue, that’s a huge risk to a buyer — especially in private equity.”