Everyone says side projects with no revenue are worthless. That is wrong.
I recently tried to figure out what my side project was worth. It had 2,000 active users, clean React/Node codebase, growing 15% monthly — but zero revenue. Every traditional valuation method said $0.
Then I found a pre-revenue valuation calculator that actually accounts for user traction, code quality, and growth.
The result: $10,000 — $25,000.
Here is how pre-revenue projects are valued in 2026:
The Framework
1. Code Value
| Code State | Base Value |
|---|---|
| Production-ready (tested, documented) | $5,000-$9,000 |
| Solid (works well, some docs) | $3,000-$5,000 |
| Basic (functional) | $1,500-$3,000 |
| Prototype | $500-$1,500 |
2. User Value
- AI Tools: $2-$3 per active user
- SaaS: $2-$2.50 per user
- Chrome Extensions: $1.50-$2 per WAU
- Telegram Bots: $1-$1.50 per subscriber
3. Growth Premium
- 30%+ monthly growth: +60%
- 15-30%: +30%
- 5-15%: +10%
4. Type Multiplier
AI tools get 1.8x, SaaS 1.5x, Apps 1.3x.
My Calculation
- Code: Solid React/Node = $4,500 base × 1.5 (SaaS) = $6,750
- Users: 2,000 × $2.50 = $5,000
- Growth: 15% monthly = 1.3x multiplier on users = $6,500
- Total base: ~$13,250
- Range: $8,000 — $18,500
The calculator gave me $10K-$25K which accounts for additional factors.
Where To Sell Pre-Revenue
The market for pre-revenue acquisitions is real:
- ExitBid — auction format, pre-revenue projects accepted
- SideProjectors — free bulletin board
- IndieHackers — community marketplace
Full guide: How to Value a Pre-Revenue Project
Try The Calculator
exitbid.io/tools/calculator — select your business type, enter your metrics, get an instant estimate. Works for both revenue-generating and pre-revenue projects.
Stop undervaluing what you built.
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