For informational purposes only. This tool provides estimates based on your inputs and may differ from actual outcomes. It does not constitute financial advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Terms
Know exactly when your cash runs out. Model burn, revenue, and scenarios to extend your survival.
Caution
Projected
Revenue = Burn
Cash outflow
Funding
Equipment, setup, legal, etc.
Monthly burn
Team
Team costs $40,000/mo = 80% of burn
Revenue
36-month forecast with danger zone highlighting
See how different strategies affect your survival timeline.
Baseline scenario
+11 months gained
Extends beyond 36 months
Model how a funding round changes your runway and burn trajectory.
Hiring ramp after close
15 months
$50,000/mo
Month 33
36+ months
$60,000/mo
36+
Extends beyond 36 months
See where your $50,000/mo burn rate is going.
$40,000
80.0% of monthly burn
5 people x $8,000/mo
$7,500
15.0% of monthly burn
Office, tools, infra
$10,000
20.0% of monthly burn
Ads, content, events
$0
0.0% of monthly burn
Legal, accounting, misc
Critical startup health indicators at a glance.
Revenue / Burn ratio
Developing
Dollars spent per dollar of new revenue
Needs improvement
Monthly per team member
$24,000/yr per head
Cash runs out before break-even
Action needed
Key financial metrics for your startup's viability.
After one-time expenses
Revenue / Burn Rate
Projected yearly expense
Revenue needed to survive
500 randomized simulations showing the probability range of your cash balance outcomes.
Monte Carlo Simulation
| Month | Cash Balance | Revenue | Burn Rate | Net Burn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $460,500 | $10,500 | $50,000 | -$39,500 |
| 2 | $421,525 | $11,025 | $50,000 | -$38,975 |
| 3 | $383,101 | $11,576 | $50,000 | -$38,424 |
| 4 | $345,256 | $12,155 | $50,000 | -$37,845 |
| 5 | $308,019 | $12,763 | $50,000 | -$37,237 |
| 6 | $271,420 | $13,401 | $50,000 | -$36,599 |
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Runway is the number of months your startup can operate before running out of cash. It is calculated by dividing your available cash by your monthly net burn rate (expenses minus revenue). A healthy startup typically maintains 12-18 months of runway to allow time for growth and fundraising.
There are two levers: reduce burn or increase revenue. Cutting burn by 20% can add months of survival, while accelerating revenue growth compounds over time. The best strategy combines both, but prioritize based on where you have the most leverage in your current stage.
Raise when you have 6+ months of runway left and strong momentum, since fundraising itself takes 3-6 months. Raising from desperation with less than 3 months of cash means terrible terms, higher dilution, and weaker negotiating leverage. Investors can sense urgency and will price it in. Use the funding simulator above to model different scenarios and find your optimal fundraising window.
Capital efficiency (revenue divided by burn) above 0.5x is healthy for early-stage startups. A burn multiple below 2x is considered excellent, meaning you are spending efficiently to acquire revenue. Track revenue per employee to benchmark operational efficiency against peers. Being "default alive" means your current growth trajectory reaches profitability before cash runs out, the most important milestone for any startup.
Calculate how long your startup can survive. Model burn rate, revenue growth, and funding scenarios to plan your path to profitability.
Runway is the number of months your startup can operate before running out of cash, calculated by dividing your available cash by your monthly burn rate. It is the most critical metric for startup survival.
A healthy burn rate depends on your stage. Pre-seed startups should target 18-24 months of runway. Series A companies typically maintain 12-18 months. Below 6 months is danger zone requiring immediate action.
Three main strategies: reduce expenses (renegotiate contracts, cut non-essential spend), increase revenue (raise prices, accelerate sales), or raise additional funding. The simulator lets you model all three scenarios.
