Free calculator · Fundraising math

Funding Goal Calculator

Decide how much to raise, tied to milestones, runway and a use-of-funds skeleton.

No signup for your result Your inputs stay in this browser Updated June 2026
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The form starts with an editable seed plan. Calculate as-is, or enter your own numbers first.

1 Enter inputs2 Get result3 Act
The formula

Your raise amount is a milestone plan, not a vanity number.

A good ask buys enough time to reach the next fundable proof point and still leaves room to raise from strength.

Runway first

The core ask starts with planned monthly burn multiplied by the runway needed to clear the milestone.

Committed capital matters

Money already soft-circled should reduce the public ask, not inflate it.

Range beats false precision

Minimum, target and stretch let you manage a real round without rewriting the story.

Methodology

How the ask is built

The calculator turns burn, runway, buffer and milestone costs into a defensible funding range.

# core componentseffective_burn = current_burn + planned_hiresbase_need = effective_burn x runway + one_time_coststarget = base_need x (1 + buffer) - committedminimum = target x 0.7stretch = target x 1.3

Use this as a fundraising planning check, not a board-ready financial model.

The use-of-funds split is directional and should be edited for your actual operating plan.

Failure modes

Common ask mistakes

Raising to a round label

Seed does not mean a fixed dollar amount. The ask should map to proof.

Forgetting hiring burn

Planned hires are burn, even if they start after the round closes.

No buffer

A raise without slippage buffer assumes everything lands on schedule.

Keep going

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FAQ

Questions founders ask

How many months of runway should I raise?

Most founders target 18-24 months: enough to hit the milestone that unlocks the next round and still leave time to fundraise.

Why give a range instead of one number?

A minimum, target and stretch lets you stay flexible. You can close at the minimum, hit the target, or expand if the round is oversubscribed.

Should I subtract money already committed?

Yes. Committed capital reduces the new money still open, so the public ask reflects what you actually need to close.