Who This Helps
You're a founder operator. Revenue is growing, but cash feels flat. You need one clear number to explain to your team and investors. The Founder Finance Basics Mission Pack is built for this moment.
Mini Case
Meet Ben. His SaaS startup grew revenue 12% last month, but cash stayed flat. He ran the Runway Forecast mission from the course. In 7 minutes, he saw his runway was 4 months, not 6. He paused a non-essential hire and extended runway to 5.5 months. His board approved the plan in one meeting.
Do This Now (5 Steps)
- Open your bank balance and monthly burn rate. Write both down.
- Subtract your burn from your balance. That's your raw runway in months.
- Add a 15% buffer for surprises. Adjust the number.
- List your top 3 fixed costs. Ask: can any be cut by 10%?
- Share your new runway number with your co-founder today. No slides needed.
Avoid These Traps
- Don't use gross revenue. Use net cash in your account.
- Don't forget one-time expenses like annual software renewals.
- Don't assume growth will save you. Cash is king.
- Don't hide bad news. Stakeholders respect honesty.
- Don't skip the buffer. Things break.
- Don't overcomplicate. A one-page forecast beats a spreadsheet.
- Don't wait for month-end. Check weekly.
- Don't ignore hiring costs. They're often the biggest leak.
Your Win by Friday
By Friday, you'll have a runway number you can explain in 30 seconds. You'll know if you need to cut spend or raise funds. You'll feel calm, not panicked. That's the win.