You need to present burn rate.
Investors and advisors need clarity.
You need board-ready reports.
You need professional communication.
Board-ready reports. Burn rate presentation. Runway communication. Your credibility.
This guide shows you how.
Report structure. Clear metrics. Professional presentation. Your success.
Read this. Build reports. Present confidently.
Key Takeaways
- Calculate accurate metrics—use Burn Rate and Cash Runway Calculators to ensure numbers are correct
- Show trends—present burn rate and runway trends over time to show trajectory
- Provide context—explain burn rate in context of growth, unit economics, and market opportunity
- Include projections—show projected burn rate and runway based on current plans
- Be transparent—address concerns proactively, explain variances, and show improvement plans
Table of Contents
Why Presentation Matters
Presentation builds confidence.
What happens without good presentation:
- Metrics are misunderstood
- Confidence is not built
- Funding is not secured
- Relationships are damaged
What happens with good presentation:
- Metrics are clear
- Confidence is built
- Funding is secured
- Relationships are strengthened
The reality: Presentation enables success.
Calculating Accurate Metrics
Calculate accurate metrics:
Burn Rate Calculation
Calculate it:
- Use our Burn Rate Calculator
- Enter accurate cash and expenses
- Calculate gross and net burn
- Ensure accuracy
Why it matters: Accuracy builds credibility.
Runway Calculation
Calculate it:
- Use our Cash Runway Calculator
- Enter current cash and burn rate
- Calculate months remaining
- Show time horizon
Why it matters: Runway shows survival time.
Growth-Adjusted Burn
Calculate it:
- Use our Growth-Adjusted Burn Rate Calculator
- Show burn in context of growth
- Demonstrate efficiency
- Provide context
Why it matters: Growth-adjusted burn shows efficiency.
Pro tip: Calculate accurate metrics. Use our calculators for accurate data. See our burn rate guide for comprehensive understanding.
Showing Trends
Show trends over time:
Burn Rate Trends
What trends to show:
- Monthly burn rate over time
- Gross vs. net burn trends
- Growth-adjusted burn trends
- Improvement trajectory
Why it matters: Trends show progress.
Runway Trends
What trends to show:
- Runway over time
- Runway extension or reduction
- Projected runway
- Runway milestones
Why it matters: Runway trends show survival trajectory.
Growth Trends
What trends to show:
- Revenue growth
- Customer growth
- Market growth
- Growth efficiency
Why it matters: Growth trends provide context.
Pro tip: Show trends. Burn rate trends, runway trends, growth trends. Trends show progress and trajectory.
Providing Context
Provide context for burn rate:
Growth Context
What context to provide:
- Burn rate relative to growth
- Growth-adjusted burn rate
- Unit economics
- Growth efficiency
Why it matters: Growth context justifies burn.
Market Context
What context to provide:
- Market opportunity size
- Competitive landscape
- Market timing
- Market growth
Why it matters: Market context justifies investment.
Stage Context
What context to provide:
- Business stage
- Typical burn for stage
- Industry benchmarks
- Growth expectations
Why it matters: Stage context sets expectations.
Pro tip: Provide context. Growth context, market context, stage context. Context enables understanding. See our growth-adjusted burn guide for evaluation.
Including Projections
Include projections:
Projected Burn Rate
What projections to include:
- Next quarter burn rate
- Next year burn rate
- Scenarios (best, base, worst)
- Assumptions
Why it matters: Projections show planning.
Projected Runway
What projections to include:
- Runway based on current burn
- Runway with planned reductions
- Runway with funding
- Runway scenarios
Why it matters: Runway projections show survival planning.
Funding Needs
What needs to include:
- When funding is needed
- How much funding is needed
- Use of funds
- Milestones to hit
Why it matters: Funding needs show planning.
Pro tip: Include projections. Projected burn rate, projected runway, funding needs. Projections show forward thinking.
Being Transparent
Be transparent about concerns:
Address Concerns Proactively
What concerns to address:
- High burn rate
- Short runway
- Negative trends
- Red flags
Why it matters: Proactive addressing builds trust.
Explain Variances
What variances to explain:
- Actual vs. budgeted burn
- Changes in burn rate
- Runway changes
- Growth changes
Why it matters: Explanation provides understanding.
Show Improvement Plans
What plans to show:
- Burn reduction plans
- Runway extension plans
- Growth improvement plans
- Efficiency improvements
Why it matters: Plans show proactivity.
Pro tip: Be transparent. Address concerns, explain variances, show plans. Transparency builds trust. See our investor-ready financials guide for presentation.
Your Next Steps
Calculate metrics. Build reports. Present confidently.
This Week:
- Review this guide
- Calculate all key metrics
- Build initial report structure
- Prepare presentation
This Month:
- Refine report format
- Add trends and context
- Include projections
- Practice presentation
Going Forward:
- Update reports regularly
- Maintain transparency
- Build stakeholder confidence
- Improve continuously
Need help? Check out our Burn Rate Calculator for burn rate calculation, our Cash Runway Calculator for runway calculation, our Growth-Adjusted Burn Rate Calculator for growth-adjusted calculation, our burn rate guide for comprehensive understanding, and our investor-ready financials guide for presentation.
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Sources & Additional Information
This guide provides general information about board-ready burn reports. Your specific situation may require different considerations.
For burn rate calculation, see our Burn Rate Calculator.
For cash runway calculation, see our Cash Runway Calculator.
For growth-adjusted burn rate calculation, see our Growth-Adjusted Burn Rate Calculator.
Consult with professionals for advice specific to your situation.
