Know your startup runway before it runs out.
Six quick steps. One investor-ready forecast. See exactly how much startup capital to raise — and the precise month you'll need it.
The three questions every founder must answer.
Guess wrong on any one of these and the business stalls. This startup budget and forecast tool answers all three in minutes.
How much capital do you actually need?
Most founders raise too little and stall, or too much and dilute equity unnecessarily. The tool finds your deepest cash dip and sizes the raise to it, plus a safety buffer.
When will you need it?
A runway number is useless without timing. See the exact month your balance turns negative so you can raise on your terms — not in a panic when the account runs dry.
What happens if growth shifts?
Model quarter-by-quarter growth, equipment purchases, and one-time startup costs — then edit any forecast cell live to stress-test your plan before sharing with investors.
From blank page to funded plan.
The startup budget and forecast tool guides you through every variable that matters — no finance degree needed.
Tell us about the business
Revenue, cost of goods sold, one-time startup expenses, monthly overhead, and planned equipment — guided across six short steps.
We model the cash flow
Revenue compounds by your quarterly growth rates while expenses, asset purchases, and your starting capital are tracked in a live monthly balance sheet.
Get your capital plan
A clear recommended raise amount, the month you'd run dry without it, and a full 36-month editable forecast you can export as a CSV for investors.
Built on the same startup budget and cash-flow logic fractional CFOs use with their portfolio companies.
We built this startup budget and forecast tool after watching too many promising businesses stall — not from weak demand, but from timing gaps that hit weeks before the spreadsheets caught up. This calculator surfaces the gap before it becomes a crisis, so you can act from a position of strength, not panic.
Ready to see your real number?
Walk through six steps and unlock your full startup capital plan and 36-month cash flow forecast.
Startup Budget & Forecast FAQ
How does the startup budget forecast work?
You enter your planned capital, revenue, cost of goods sold, one-time startup costs, recurring monthly expenses, and any planned equipment purchases across 6 steps. The tool projects revenue forward using your quarterly growth rates and tracks your running cash balance month by month so you can see exactly when cash runs low.
How much startup capital should I raise?
The tool finds the lowest point your cash balance reaches across the forecast period. If that point is negative, it recommends raising enough to cover the shortfall plus a two-month operating buffer, and tells you which month you would run out of cash without additional funding.
Is the startup budget and forecast tool free to use?
Yes. The tool is completely free. You can complete all six steps, view your full 36-month forecast and capital plan, and export the results as a CSV — no credit card or subscription required.
Can I edit the forecast after it is generated?
Yes. Once your forecast is generated, click "Edit Forecast" to make any cell editable. All downstream calculations — profit and cash balance — update in real time as you type. You can also export the final forecast as a CSV for use in Excel or Google Sheets.
What is a startup cash flow forecast used for?
A startup cash flow forecast is used to plan capital requirements, prepare investor pitch materials, set hiring and spending milestones, and identify the earliest month you might run short on operating funds. Banks and investors often require a 12–36 month cash flow forecast as part of a business plan or funding application.
Your Startup Budget & Forecast
Answer six quick questions. We'll build your capital plan and a full 36-month monthly cash flow forecast.
Your Capital Raising Plan
Financial Forecast
Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)
The direct costs of producing the goods or services you sell:
- Raw materials and supplies
- Direct production labor
- Manufacturing & production overhead
- Fulfillment and shipping costs
COGS excludes indirect costs like marketing, admin salaries, or office rent.
Estimates are for planning purposes only and assume your inputs hold. Actual results will vary. This is not financial advice.
Want a human to pressure-test this plan?
Book a free 30-minute session with our team to review your forecast and startup capital strategy.
Book a Strategy Call →