From Gut Feel to Hard Numbers: The Rise of Data Valuation

For years, businesses have operated under the assumption that their data is valuable. But when it comes time to prove that value - to investors, buyers, regulators, or boards - most are left relying on instinct, anecdote, or vague benchmarks. It’s a bit like walking into a Dragon’s Den pitch saying “we’ve got loads of data” and hoping someone bites. Spoiler: they won’t.

That’s changing. And quickly.

As data becomes a core strategic asset across industries, the ability to put a credible, defensible number on it is no longer a luxury. It’s becoming essential. Just look at how data has shaped recent UK debates around NHS digitisation, AI regulation, and the monetisation of public datasets. In a post-Brexit Britain redefining its global role in tech, understanding the value of data isn’t a theoretical exercise, it’s an economic strategy.

Why Now?

We live in a world where ChatGPT is discussed over coffee, TikTok algorithms are debated in Parliament, and 80% of UK workers interact with data-driven systems daily. The pace of digital transformation is no longer gentle, it’s relentless.

And yet, many CFOs and boardrooms still rely on a “gut feel” when it comes to estimating what their data is actually worth. It’s like valuing your car based on how good it looks parked in the driveway, rather than its performance on the road.

A formal data valuation changes everything. It’s how you move from anecdote to evidence, from assumption to asset.

What Is Data Valuation, Really?

It’s not just about analytics or reporting. It’s about understanding data as a financial asset. Properly valued, your data becomes more than a talking point - it becomes part of your strategy.

There are multiple approaches. Some assess what it cost to generate the data. Others evaluate its ability to drive income, benchmark it against similar datasets, or even estimate its worth in a hypothetical negotiation. Each method serves a different purpose, but together, they bring clarity to one big question: what is your data really worth?

And yes, this is already happening. In recent funding rounds, several UK fintechs credited their rising valuations not to revenue growth, but to proprietary data assets. The message is clear: data value is no longer speculative - it’s shaping valuations and investor sentiment.

What’s Driving the Demand?

We’re seeing this across the board. M&A deals increasingly revolve around what kind of customer data is being acquired. Investors want transparency. Strategy teams are making major bets on new revenue streams, and the confidence to do that starts with knowing what assets they’re sitting on.

And let’s not forget regulation. From GDPR to digital reporting standards, knowing what data you have - and what it’s worth - is fast becoming a compliance essential.

From Storytelling to Strategy

For years, businesses have used data to support a good story. In 2025 and beyond, data is the story.

Think about the British government’s move towards sovereign AI infrastructure. It’s not just a headline, it’s a signal. Data is being treated as national infrastructure. Forward-looking companies are doing the same.

The shift we’re seeing is from narrative to numbers. If you can quantify the role of data in your innovation pipeline, customer retention, or go-to-market strategy, you’re already ahead.

What Happens If You Don’t?

It’s simple. If you don’t value your data, someone else will, and chances are, not in your favour.

Legal disputes over data ownership are on the rise. Buyers are demanding valuations as part of due diligence. And regulators aren’t waiting for you to catch up.

The risk isn’t just missing out - it’s being outmanoeuvred by competitors who treat their data like the strategic asset it is.

Still relying on instinct? That might have worked a few years ago. But the businesses that lead tomorrow’s economy will be the ones who don’t just collect data - they value it.

Formally. Strategically. Transparently.

And when the time comes to prove its worth, they won’t blink.

Discover the Real Value of Your Data

At Data Valuation Partners, we don’t deal in hypotheticals, we deal in hard numbers.

Our team helps ambitious organisations move beyond gut feel and into evidence-backed decision-making. Whether you’re raising capital, planning a strategic exit, or simply want to know what your data is really worth, we deliver clear, defensible valuations that stand up to boardroom scrutiny and investor due diligence.

No fluff. No filler. Just the real value, finally measured.

Curious what your data might be worth? Start here: https://www.datavaluationpartners.com/how-it-works