Startup Runway Calculator
Default Alive vs Default Dead
Output Benchmarks
How to use this Startup Runway Calculator
Input Data
Enter your current Tech Startup metrics into the labeled fields above.
Analyze Ratios
Instantly view efficiency ratios calculated against elite standards.
Optimize
Compare your results with the Benchmarks on the right to find leverage points.
Strategic Context
THE STRATEGIC VIEW
Runway is the only metric that dictates a startup's lifespan. It is not just about having cash; it is about the "Efficiency of Burn." This model helps founders calculate the exact date they run out of oxygen, allowing them to shift from growth to "Cockroach Mode" before it is too late.
Operational Reality
THE 18-MONTH CLOCK
VC-backed startups live on a shot clock. You raise money for 18 months of runway.
The goal is not "Survival", it is "Milestone Achievement". You spend money to buy growth to justify the next valuation. If you preserve cash but don't grow, you die anyway (uninvestable).
THE BURN MULTIPLIER
Startups underestimate burn because they forget "Hiring Lag" and "Severance".
Firing people is expensive. Pivoting is expensive. Real runway is usually 20% shorter than the spreadsheet says.
Tactical FAQ
TACTICAL Q&A
Q: We have 6 months runway. What do we do?
Output Benchmarks
Master The System
This calculator is just one tactical step. The full strategy is documented in the core protocol.
Source Lesson
Finance & Capital: Tech Startup Protocol