Funding Goal

Key Features

• •Current Cash Balance Input: Enter the exact cash your startup holds in its bank accounts. This field anchors the calculation by identifying available funds that reduce the total funding need. Knowing your starting point prevents over-asking and ensures the goal is realistic.
• •Monthly Burn Rate Input: Record your average monthly operating expenses, including salaries, rent, and other costs. This is a critical metric because it directly determines how fast you'll consume funding. Accurate burn rate data leads to a more precise funding goal.
• •Desired Runway Setting: Choose the number of months you want your startup to operate after receiving funding. A longer runway typically requires more capital but provides more time to hit milestones. This input lets you align your ask with your business plan.
• •Planned Growth Expenses (Optional): Add one-time costs for expansion, such as hiring, marketing campaigns, or product development. Including these ensures your ask covers not just survival but strategic growth, making your pitch more compelling to investors.
• •Instant Funding Goal Calculation: Click the 'Calculate Funding Goal' button to receive an immediate, data-driven funding target. The tool uses a simple formula: (Burn Rate × Runway) – Cash + Growth Expenses. This speed and clarity eliminate guesswork and spreadsheets.
• •Free to Use with No Login Required: The calculator is accessible directly from Angel Match's resources page without any sign-up or payment. This low barrier means any founder can quickly get the information they need before engaging with investors.

Use Cases

• •A pre-revenue startup preparing a seed round pitch deck uses the calculator to determine they need $500k for 18 months of runway. They input $30k monthly burn, $50k current cash, and $40k planned growth expenses, getting a precise ask that impresses investors.
• •An e-commerce startup with seasonal revenue uses the calculator to plan a bridge round. By adjusting the desired runway from 6 to 12 months, they see how the funding needs change, allowing them to choose a realistic target that aligns with expected sales peaks.
• •A SaaS founder with $200k in the bank and a $25k monthly burn wants to raise enough for a 24-month runway. The calculator shows they need $400k without growth expenses. Adding $100k for new hires brings the goal to $500k, helping them prepare a justified request.
• •A hardware startup planning a Series A round uses the calculator to model different growth scenarios. By varying the 'Planned Growth Expenses' field between $50k and $200k, they identify the optimal ask that covers tooling and production ramp-up without excessive dilution.
• •A solo founder with limited financial background uses the calculator for the first time. They input their $10k burn and $5k cash, request a 12-month runway, and see a $115k goal. This clarity gives them confidence to begin investor outreach and avoid underfunding.

Who is this for?

Startup founders, especially those at the pre-seed and seed stages, who need a data-backed funding amount before approaching angel investors or venture capitalists. CFOs and financial consultants helping startups plan capital raises will also benefit. The tool is ideal for entrepreneurs who want to avoid the common mistake of guessing their funding needs and instead present a well-reasoned, numbers-driven ask to investors. It is also useful for founders participating in accelerator programs where precise runway planning is required. The calculator is free and web-based, making it accessible to any founder regardless of budget or technical expertise.