Selling a Business in Boulder
Owners in the Boulder area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 12,990 employer businesses, and 88% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Boulder by the numbers
12,990
12,990
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
88%
88%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
42,056
42,056
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
159,619
159,619
EMPLOYMENT
$13.2 billion
$13.2 billion
ANNUAL PAYROLL
4,382
4,382
BUSINESSES WITH 5 TO 49 EMPLOYEES
U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 and Nonemployer Statistics 2024. Counts are employer establishments, meaning business locations with paid employees.
How Boulder compares
The Boulder area ranks 3rd of 7 Colorado metro areas for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 1.2% between 2018 and 2023.
Professional and technical services makes up 23% of employer businesses in Boulder, compared with 15% in Colorado.
4,382 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
The Boulder area ranks 3rd of 7 Colorado metro areas for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 1.2% between 2018 and 2023.
Professional and technical services makes up 23% of employer businesses in Boulder, compared with 15% in Colorado.
4,382 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Professional and technical services: 2,957 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 1,646 employer businesses
Retail: 1,139 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 1,059 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 929 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Professional and technical services: 2,957 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 1,646 employer businesses
Retail: 1,139 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 1,059 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 929 employer businesses
What buyers look for
Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.
How much of the business depends on the owner
How concentrated sales are among a few customers
The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale
The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer
Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.
How much of the business depends on the owner
How concentrated sales are among a few customers
The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale
The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Boulder
Professional and technical services, health care and social assistance, retail, repair, personal care and other services
Every kind of business we sell in Boulder
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Boulder. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Financial & Professional Services
1,151 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Real Estate Brokerages: 488 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 274 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 171 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Insurance Agencies: 152 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Private Lending: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Mortgage Brokerages: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Construction & Engineering
1,123 related employer businesses in Boulder.
General Contracting: 298 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Civil Engineering: 210 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 169 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 161 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Electrical: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Roofing & Siding: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Masonry: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Carpentry & Framing: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Remediation & Restoration: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Medical Practices
1,083 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 284 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Dental Practices: 249 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 235 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 105 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Specialty Medicine: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Medical Labs & Imaging: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Urgent Care Clinics: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Restaurants & Food
892 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Full-Service Restaurants: 359 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 277 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 126 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Bakeries: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Ghost Kitchens. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Retail Stores
478 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 129 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Electronics & Repair: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Technology & Media
429 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Creative Agencies: 119 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.
Software Companies (SaaS): 114 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x SDE.
Digital Marketing Agencies: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Media, Film & Studio Production: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Media: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.8x SDE.
E-commerce & Online Brands. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Manufacturing
410 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 120 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Electronics & Tech Manufacturing: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.5x EBITDA.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Printing & Plastics: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Textile & Apparel Manufacturing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
275 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Hair Salons: 154 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Day Spas: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.
Tattoo Shops: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Massage Parlors: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Nail Salons: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.
Barber Shops: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.
Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Home Services
243 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Property Management: 153 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Residential Cleaning: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Audio Visual (AV). Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Junk Removal. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.0x SDE.
Pool & Spa Service. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
239 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Auto Repair: 115 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Dealerships: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Washes: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Towing & Repo: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Wholesale & Distribution
237 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Electronics, IT & Office Equipment Distribution: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Consumer Goods & Apparel Distribution: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Medical, Dental & Pharmaceutical Distribution: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Chemicals, Plastics & Raw Materials Distribution: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Packaging, Paper & JanSan Distribution: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Health & Fitness
123 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Education & Childcare
104 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Daycare Centers: 86 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Tutoring Centers: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.
Entertainment & Recreation
98 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Outdoor Recreation: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Bars & Pubs: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.
Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.
Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.
Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
85 related employer businesses in Boulder.
General Freight Trucking: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Commercial Moving: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.0x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Port Drayage. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
81 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Home Infusion: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Compounding Pharmacies: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Durable Medical Equipment (DME): 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Medical Supply Retail: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Gas Stations & Convenience
72 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Gas Stations: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Truck Stops & Travel Centers. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Pet Services
71 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Pet Retail & Specialty Supplies: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE + Inventory.
Mobile & In-Home Pet Care. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE + Fleet.
Hospitality & Travel
61 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Hotels: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Travel Agencies: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.
Transportation Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
47 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Non-Medical Home Care: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Adult Day Services. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
32 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Water & Wastewater Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Waste Management & Recycling: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Oil & Gas Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Solar & Renewable Energy: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 6.0x EBITDA.
E-commerce & Online Businesses
Amazon FBA Businesses. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Online Marketplaces. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 6.0x SDE.
Land & Agriculture
Crop Production. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 6.69x EBITDA.
Livestock & Ranching. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.76x EBITDA.
Agribusiness & Infrastructure. Typical sale multiple: 5.2x - 10.3x EBITDA.
AgTech & Precision Ag. Typical sale multiple: 8.3x - 12.1x EBITDA.
Agri-Tourism & Lifestyle. Typical sale multiple: 2.51x - 4.54x SDE.
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Boulder. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Financial & Professional Services
1,151 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Real Estate Brokerages: 488 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 274 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 171 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Insurance Agencies: 152 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Private Lending: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Mortgage Brokerages: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Construction & Engineering
1,123 related employer businesses in Boulder.
General Contracting: 298 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Civil Engineering: 210 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 169 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 161 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Electrical: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Roofing & Siding: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Masonry: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Carpentry & Framing: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Remediation & Restoration: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Medical Practices
1,083 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 284 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Dental Practices: 249 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 235 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 105 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Specialty Medicine: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Medical Labs & Imaging: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Urgent Care Clinics: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Restaurants & Food
892 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Full-Service Restaurants: 359 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 277 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 126 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Bakeries: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Ghost Kitchens. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Retail Stores
478 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 129 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Electronics & Repair: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Technology & Media
429 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Creative Agencies: 119 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.
Software Companies (SaaS): 114 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x SDE.
Digital Marketing Agencies: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Media, Film & Studio Production: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Media: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.8x SDE.
E-commerce & Online Brands. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Manufacturing
410 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 120 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Electronics & Tech Manufacturing: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.5x EBITDA.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Printing & Plastics: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Textile & Apparel Manufacturing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
275 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Hair Salons: 154 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Day Spas: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.
Tattoo Shops: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Massage Parlors: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Nail Salons: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.
Barber Shops: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.
Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Home Services
243 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Property Management: 153 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Residential Cleaning: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Audio Visual (AV). Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Junk Removal. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.0x SDE.
Pool & Spa Service. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
239 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Auto Repair: 115 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Dealerships: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Washes: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Towing & Repo: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Wholesale & Distribution
237 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Electronics, IT & Office Equipment Distribution: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Consumer Goods & Apparel Distribution: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Medical, Dental & Pharmaceutical Distribution: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Chemicals, Plastics & Raw Materials Distribution: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Packaging, Paper & JanSan Distribution: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Health & Fitness
123 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Education & Childcare
104 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Daycare Centers: 86 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Tutoring Centers: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.
Entertainment & Recreation
98 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Outdoor Recreation: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Bars & Pubs: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.
Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.
Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.
Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
85 related employer businesses in Boulder.
General Freight Trucking: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Commercial Moving: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.0x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Port Drayage. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
81 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Home Infusion: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Compounding Pharmacies: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Durable Medical Equipment (DME): 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Medical Supply Retail: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Gas Stations & Convenience
72 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Gas Stations: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Truck Stops & Travel Centers. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Pet Services
71 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Pet Retail & Specialty Supplies: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE + Inventory.
Mobile & In-Home Pet Care. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE + Fleet.
Hospitality & Travel
61 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Hotels: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Travel Agencies: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.
Transportation Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
47 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Non-Medical Home Care: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Adult Day Services. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
32 related employer businesses in Boulder.
Water & Wastewater Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Waste Management & Recycling: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Oil & Gas Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Solar & Renewable Energy: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 6.0x EBITDA.
E-commerce & Online Businesses
Amazon FBA Businesses. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Online Marketplaces. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 6.0x SDE.
Land & Agriculture
Crop Production. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 6.69x EBITDA.
Livestock & Ranching. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.76x EBITDA.
Agribusiness & Infrastructure. Typical sale multiple: 5.2x - 10.3x EBITDA.
AgTech & Precision Ag. Typical sale multiple: 8.3x - 12.1x EBITDA.
Agri-Tourism & Lifestyle. Typical sale multiple: 2.51x - 4.54x SDE.
Counties in this metro area
Working with owners in Boulder
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Boulder. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Boulder ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Boulder?
The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers. Many sales take six months or longer from the start of the process to closing.
How is a business valued in Boulder?
Valuation starts with the earnings the business produces for an owner, then adjusts for assets, size, industry and the terms a buyer is likely to accept. The result is a range, and the asking price is set inside it.
Is the sale confidential?
Buyers are asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before they see the name of the business or its financial statements.
FROM OUR BLOG
Guides for owners in Boulder
October 3, 2025
Business Owners
Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On
Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.
Read article
October 3, 2025
Business Owners
Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On
Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.
Read article
March 5, 2026
Business Owners
Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close
Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.
Read article
March 5, 2026
Business Owners
Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close
Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.
Read article
February 9, 2026
Business Owners
The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why
The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.
Read article
February 9, 2026
Business Owners
The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why
The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.
Read article