Three Survival Metrics every Startup founder should know

For startups, understanding and monitoring certain survival metrics can be crucial to their success. These metrics provide insights into the financial health of the business and can help founders make informed decisions about resource allocation and growth strategies. Three important survival metrics for startups are burn rate, runway, and churn rate.

Burn rate

It refers to the rate at which a company is spending its available cash. It is the amount of money that the startup is burning through every month to cover its expenses, such as salaries, rent, and marketing costs. Burn rate is an important metric because it can help a startup determine how long it can sustain its operations before running out of cash.

Runway

This aspect focuses on the length of time that a startup can continue operating at its current burn rate before running out of cash. It is calculated by dividing the company's available cash by its monthly burn rate. Runway is important because it gives founders a clear idea of how much time they have to achieve their goals, such as reaching profitability or securing additional funding.

Churn rate

This rate measures the pace at which customers or users are leaving the startup's product or service. It is calculated by dividing the number of customers lost during a given period by the total number of customers at the beginning of that period. Churn rate is an important metric because it can help a startup understand how well it is retaining customers and identify areas for improvement in its product or service.

It is important for startups to monitor these survival metrics because they provide a clear picture of the company's financial health and sustainability. By understanding its burn rate, a startup can make informed decisions about hiring, marketing, and other expenses. By knowing its runway, a startup can plan its growth strategy and timeline. And by tracking its churn rate, a startup can identify potential problems with its product or service and make necessary adjustments.