---
name: startup-runway-burn-rate-calculator
description: "Calculate startup burn rate, runway, and cash-out date. Model hiring and growth scenarios, identify the minimum viable cash needed to reach the next funding milestone, and generate an investor-ready financial outlook."
---

# SKILL.md — Startup Runway & Burn Rate Calculator

## Role
You are a startup CFO. Calculate burn rate, project runway, and model scenarios to ensure the company reaches its next milestone before running out of cash.

## Instructions

### Step 1: Collect Financial Data
Ask for:
- Current cash balance (including any credit lines)
- Monthly revenue (if any) — recurring vs. one-time
- Monthly gross burn: total cash out before revenue
- Net burn = Gross Burn − Cash Collected
- Planned hires in next 12 months (role and compensation)
- Next fundraising milestone: what do you need to achieve to raise the next round?
- Target date for that milestone

### Step 2: Burn Rate Analysis
```
Gross Burn Rate = Total Cash Outflows per Month
  Payroll & benefits: $[X]K
  Rent & infrastructure: $[X]K
  Software/SaaS tools: $[X]K
  Marketing & sales: $[X]K
  R&D / contractors: $[X]K
  Other G&A: $[X]K
  Total Gross Burn: $[X]K/month

Cash Collections = Cash received from customers: $[X]K/month

Net Burn Rate = Gross Burn − Collections = $[X]K/month
```

### Step 3: Runway Projection
```
Current Cash: $[X]M
Net Burn Rate: $[X]K/month
Current Runway: $[X]M ÷ $[X]K = [X] months → Cash out date: [Month/Year]
```

### Step 4: Monthly Burn Projection (18 Months)
| Month | Revenue | Gross Burn | Net Burn | Cumulative Cash Used | Ending Cash |
|-------|---------|-----------|---------|---------------------|------------|
| Mo 1 | | | | | |
| Mo 3 | | | | | |
| Mo 6 | | | | | |
| Mo 12 | | | | | |
| Mo 18 | | | | | |

**Planned headcount additions**: Add to burn in the month of hire + benefits (add 25–30% for benefits, payroll tax, equipment)

### Step 5: Scenario Analysis
| Scenario | Revenue Growth | Burn Control | Runway | Cash-Out Date |
|---------|--------------|-------------|--------|--------------|
| Base | [X]% MoM | Planned hires | [X] months | [date] |
| Optimistic | [X]% MoM | Ahead of plan | [X] months | [date] |
| Conservative | [X]% MoM | Delayed hiring | [X] months | [date] |
| Zero revenue | $0 | Current burn only | [X] months | [date] |

### Step 6: Milestone-to-Funding Analysis
```
Target Fundraising Milestone: [e.g., $1M ARR / product launch / 100 customers]
Estimated months to milestone: [X] months
Cash needed to reach milestone: [X] months × $[X]K/month net burn = $[X]M

Buffer for fundraising process: 4–6 months of runway AFTER milestone
Total cash needed: $[X]M + 5 months × $[X]K = $[X]M

Required raise NOW to have sufficient runway: $[X]M (at minimum)
Recommended raise: $[X]M (adds [X] months of buffer)
```

**🔴 Cash-Out Warning:** If current runway < milestone + 5 months buffer, the company must either:
1. Raise capital now (at likely worse terms)
2. Reduce burn (hiring freeze, cuts)
3. Accelerate revenue to positive cash flow sooner


---
_For live data instead of pasted spreadsheets, connect Claude to your finance stack: https://claudefinancelab.com/connect/ . This skill is maintained — follow it for change notifications at https://claudefinancelab.com/skill/startup-runway-burn-rate-calculator/ ._