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What is Cash Burn Rate?
Cash Burn Rate measures how quickly a company is spending its available cash, typically expressed as the amount of cash used per month. It is commonly used by startups, high-growth companies, and any business operating at a loss to understand how long their cash reserves will last.
Definition
Cash Burn Rate is the rate at which a company uses up its cash balance over a specific period, usually monthly.
Key Takeaways
- Indicates how fast a company is consuming cash.
- Critical for early-stage startups and businesses not yet profitable.
- Helps determine runway—the amount of time a company can operate before needing more funding.
Understanding Cash Burn Rate
Burn rate provides insight into operational efficiency and financial health. It is often analyzed in two forms:
1. Gross Burn Rate
Total cash outflows per month (e.g., rent, salaries, marketing, operations).
2. Net Burn Rate
Net cash loss per month after subtracting cash inflows (e.g., revenue).
Runway Calculation:
Runway = Cash Balance / Net Burn Rate
This helps companies plan funding rounds, manage expenses, and avoid cash shortages.
Formula
Gross Burn Rate = Total Monthly Cash Outflows
Net Burn Rate = Total Monthly Cash Outflows − Total Monthly Cash Inflows
Runway = Cash on Hand / Net Burn Rate
Real-World Example
A startup spends $250,000 per month and brings in $50,000 in revenue.
Gross Burn Rate = $250,000
Net Burn Rate = 250,000 − 50,000 = $200,000
If the startup has $2 million in cash, Runway = 2,000,000 / 200,000 = 10 months
Importance in Business or Economics
Burn rate is crucial for:
- Managing operating cash flow
- Planning fundraising cycles
- Evaluating sustainability
- Assessing whether spending aligns with growth goals
Investors closely monitor burn rate during due diligence to determine risk and capital needs.
Types or Variations
- Gross Burn Rate
- Net Burn Rate
- Cash Runway (time left before cash depletion)
Related Terms
- Cash Flow
- Runway
- Working Capital
Sources and Further Reading
- Startup Finance Guides (Y Combinator): https://ycombinator.com
- Investopedia: https://investopedia.com
- Corporate Finance Institute: https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com
Quick Reference
- Measures how fast cash is spent.
- Key indicator for startups and high-growth companies.
- Determines financial runway.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a healthy burn rate?
It depends on the industry, growth stage, and funding strategy. Some startups intentionally operate with high burn rates to scale quickly.
Can a company have a negative burn rate?
Yes. A negative burn rate means the company is generating more cash than it is spending.
Why do investors care about burn rate?
It indicates financial discipline and whether the company will need additional capital soon.
