Runway Countdown
Track monthly expenses, project your runway, and compare scenarios. Know exactly when to fundraise.
Monthly Burn
Revenue
Cash Projection (24 Months)
Scenario Comparison
| Metric | Optimistic | Realistic | Pessimistic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Burn | $31K | $37K | $44K |
| Runway | 36+ mo | 36+ mo | 36+ mo |
| Zero-Cash | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Break-Even | Mar 2027 | Jun 2027 | Mar 2028 |
Burn Breakdown
Extend Your Runway with ZBuild
Ship products faster and reduce development costs. ZBuild AI cuts your time-to-market by 10x, helping you reach revenue before your runway runs out.
Try ZBuild Free →Frequently Asked Questions
What is startup runway and why does it matter?
Runway is the number of months your startup can operate before running out of cash. It is the most critical metric for survival. Most VCs expect 18-24 months of runway after a funding round. Running out of runway is the number one reason startups fail.
How do I calculate my burn rate?
Burn rate is total monthly expenses minus monthly revenue. Gross burn is total expenses only. Net burn accounts for revenue. Track both: gross burn shows your cost structure, net burn shows how fast you are actually consuming cash.
What is a healthy burn rate for a startup in 2026?
In 2026, investors expect capital efficiency. Pre-seed startups should target under $30K/month gross burn. Seed-stage $50-100K/month. The gold standard is keeping burn under 10% of last round raised per month, giving you at least 10 months of runway.
When should I start fundraising relative to my runway?
Start fundraising when you have 6-9 months of runway remaining. Fundraising typically takes 3-6 months. Starting too late puts you in a desperate position and weakens your negotiating leverage.