Who This Helps
You're a founder operator. Revenue is up but cash feels flat. You need a clear number you can explain to your team and investors. The Founder Finance Basics Mission Pack is built for exactly this moment.
Mini Case
Meet Ben. His startup grew revenue 20% last quarter. But cash stayed flat. He ran the Runway Forecast mission from the Founder Finance Basics Mission Pack. In 30 minutes, he saw his runway was 4 months, not the 6 he assumed. That changed his hiring plan instantly.
Do This Now (5 Steps)
- Pull your last 3 months of bank statements.
- List all fixed monthly costs (salaries, rent, software).
- Add variable costs like marketing and contractor fees.
- Subtract total monthly burn from your current cash balance.
- Divide that number by your monthly burn to get months of runway.
Avoid These Traps
- Don't forget to include one-time expenses like legal fees or equipment.
- Don't assume revenue will grow next month. Use a flat or conservative estimate.
- Don't ignore delayed payments from customers. Cash in bank is what matters.
- Don't skip updating this forecast every month. It changes fast.
- Don't confuse profit with cash. You can be profitable and run out of cash.
- Don't use average numbers. Use actuals from your bank account.
- Don't forget to add a buffer for surprises. Add 10% to your burn rate.
- Don't share a forecast you can't explain in one sentence.
Your Win by Friday
By Friday, you'll have a one-page runway forecast you can show your co-founder or board. You'll know exactly how many months you have to hit your next milestone. No more guessing. No more sleepless nights. And maybe even time for a coffee break.