Startup Runway Calculator

Calculate your startup's runway, zero-cash date, and explore different burn rate scenarios. Understand how long your cash will last and plan for sustainable growth.

Current Financial Position

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Net Burn Rate = Monthly Expenses - Monthly Revenue

Basic Runway = Current Cash / Net Burn Rate

With revenue growth, the calculator projects month-by-month until cash reaches zero or you achieve profitability.

Startup Runway Calculator: Plan Your Financial Future

Understanding your startup's runway is crucial for survival and success. This calculator helps founders and financial planners determine how long their current cash reserves will last, factoring in burn rate, revenue, and growth projections.

What is Startup Runway?

Startup runway refers to the amount of time a company can continue operating before running out of cash. It's typically measured in months and is one of the most critical metrics for any startup. Knowing your runway helps you make informed decisions about fundraising, hiring, and spending.

Key Concepts

Burn Rate

Your burn rate is the rate at which your company spends money. There are two types:

  • Gross Burn Rate: Total monthly operating expenses
  • Net Burn Rate: Monthly expenses minus monthly revenue

Zero-Cash Date

This is the projected date when your startup will run out of money if current spending and revenue trends continue. This date should always be on your radar.

Revenue Growth Impact

If your revenue is growing, your runway extends. The calculator projects how revenue growth affects your overall runway, potentially showing when you might reach profitability.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter your current cash reserves - total money in the bank
  2. Enter your monthly burn rate - total monthly operating expenses
  3. Enter your monthly revenue - current monthly income
  4. Enter your revenue growth rate - expected monthly percentage increase in revenue

Runway Scenarios

The calculator shows multiple scenarios to help you plan:

  • Current Scenario: Runway based on current numbers
  • Conservative: 20% higher burn rate, no revenue growth
  • Optimistic: 10% lower burn rate, 50% higher revenue growth

Tips for Extending Your Runway

1. Reduce Fixed Costs

Review all recurring expenses. Can you negotiate better rates? Are there services you're not fully utilizing? Consider remote work to reduce office costs.

2. Accelerate Revenue

Focus on quick-win revenue opportunities. Can you upsell existing customers? Launch a faster-to-market product version?

3. Delay Major Expenses

Postpone non-essential hires and large purchases. Prioritize spending that directly drives revenue growth.

4. Raise Bridge Funding

If you're close to a major milestone, consider convertible notes or SAFE agreements to extend runway without a full funding round.

5. Improve Cash Collection

Speed up accounts receivable. Offer early payment discounts. Switch to annual prepaid plans where possible.

When to Start Fundraising

As a rule of thumb, start your next fundraising round when you have 6-9 months of runway remaining. Fundraising typically takes 3-6 months, and you don't want to negotiate from a position of desperation.

Healthy Runway Benchmarks

Stage Recommended Runway
Pre-Seed 12-18 months
Seed 18-24 months
Series A 18-24 months
Series B+ 24-36 months

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Ignoring hidden costs: Don't forget payroll taxes, benefits, software subscriptions, and one-time expenses
  • Overestimating revenue growth: Be conservative in your projections
  • Not tracking runway regularly: Review your runway monthly, not just during fundraising
  • Waiting too long to cut costs: Act early when you see runway shrinking

Conclusion

Your startup's runway is a critical metric that requires constant attention. Use this calculator regularly to stay on top of your financial position and make informed decisions about your company's future. Remember, running out of money is the primary reason startups fail - but with proper planning and monitoring, you can avoid this fate.