Module 01
Plain-English definitions founders and investors actually use. Master the language of professional finance.
How fast your company is spending cash.
Burn is not just a monthly number. What matters is the direction. Rising burn without leverage is an early warning signal.
How long your company can operate at the current burn rate.
Runway = available cash ÷ net burn. The risk is not low runway. The risk is shrinking runway you don't notice.
Money you can actually spend.
Not revenue. Not ARR. Just deployable cash.
Cash out minus cash in.
This is the number investors actually care about. It tells you whether growth is extending or shortening your life.
What's left after delivering your product.
Low gross margin limits hiring, scale, and valuation, even when revenue looks strong.
Money earned, not money promised.
Predictable revenue matters more than spikes.
Recurring revenue, annualized.
ARR is a signal of predictability, not cash in the bank.
Whether growth makes financial sense.
Scaling bad unit economics scales the problem, not the business.
Your best estimate of the future based on current reality.
Static forecasts create false confidence. Good forecasts update automatically.
Numbers you can confidently stand behind.
Clear definitions. Consistent metrics. No last-minute explanations.
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Module 02: Fundraising & Equity