March 11, 2024

Edu: Runway - Are You On Track For Takeoff?

Startups cannot survive without a runway…

Unless they’ve reached escape velocity.

Haven’t reached takeoff? Wondering how you keep your startup on track? Chris and Yaniv are here to help you through the tough times

Together they discuss:

  • Runway refers to how long a startup can operate with its current resources before shutting down. It depends on cash, burn rate, and other factors like loss of interest or personal commitments. 

  • Becoming cash flow positive is not the same as becoming sustainably viable. Startups need "escape velocity" to become viable in the long run.

  • A founder's personal runway, like their financial situation and family commitments, impacts the startup's runway. Founders with more cushion have longer personal runways, benefitting their startups.

  • Founders should continually provide value and work to extend runway. They should start fundraising well before needing money. 

  • Putting a startup into "hibernation" by eliminating costs can extend runway. But momentum is hard to regain, especially for simple SaaS startups. Hibernation often only works for startups with tech or intellectual property.

  • When considering hibernation, founders should make rational decisions, not emotional ones to save the startup. They should consider realistic success chances given the situation.

Stay on track while you reach escape velocity - tune into this episode to learn how!

The Pact 

  • Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

  • Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app

  • Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early-access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe 

  • Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/      

  • Follow us on YouTube

  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang