Business Startup Cost Calculator
Build a launch budget, add contingency, model monthly burn and see how long your opening cash will last.
Financial Decision Lab
Startup Costs
Launch Budget And Runway
Startup Costs Workbench
Inputs Recalculate Instantly
Funding Inputs
Capital And Launch Assumptions
Recurring Burn
Monthly Operating Plan
Base Case
Funding Readout
Estimated Cash Runway
1.1 Months
$19,224 remains after launch costs.
Launch Cost
$55,776
Monthly Burn
$17,200
12-Month Funding
$262,176
Break-Even
Month 16
Scenario Range
Revenue Sensitivity
Downside Revenue
20% Below Opening Plan
1.0 Months
Base Revenue
Current Opening Plan
1.1 Months
Upside Revenue
20% Above Opening Plan
1.3 Months
Calculation Trace Show
One-Time Costs + Contingency$55,776Monthly Costs - Opening Revenue$17,200Post-Launch Cash / Monthly Burn1.1 MonthsDISCLAIMER: This tool provides educational planning estimates, not financial, investment, tax, legal, accounting, lending, or appraisal advice. Results depend on the assumptions you enter and may differ materially from actual outcomes. Rates, taxes, fees, market returns, benefits, and regulations can change. Consult qualified professionals before making consequential financial decisions.
What Is the Business Startup Cost Calculator?
The Business Startup Cost Calculator is a launch-planning workspace for separating one-time opening costs from recurring monthly operating costs. It adds a configurable contingency reserve, models revenue growth against operating burn, and shows the capital required to open, the first-month cash gap, and estimated runway. The calculation trace keeps every total auditable instead of hiding the assumptions behind one number.
How It Works
Enter available cash, expected first-month revenue and revenue growth, then itemize formation, equipment, inventory, deposits, launch marketing, payroll, rent, software and other costs. Adjust the contingency percentage to match estimate uncertainty. Review the funding requirement and runway scenarios, then change inputs to stress-test a slower launch or a more conservative cash reserve.
When to Use It
Use it before opening a company, seeking a startup loan, deciding how much owner capital to contribute, or checking whether a launch plan can survive a slower-than-expected revenue ramp.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What should count as a startup cost?
- Include every cost needed before normal operations begin: entity formation, licenses, deposits, equipment, initial inventory, build-out, professional fees, launch marketing and pre-opening payroll. Keep recurring rent, payroll, software and ongoing marketing in the monthly operating section.
- Why add a contingency reserve?
- Early estimates are unusually uncertain. A contingency reserve gives the plan room for price changes, schedule slips and overlooked requirements without pretending those costs are certain.
- What does runway mean here?
- Runway is the estimated number of months opening cash can cover modeled net burn. It is a planning estimate, not a guarantee, because real revenue and expenses rarely follow a smooth curve.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-27