💸 VC Ready

👋 Hey — Egemen here.

Well, getting funding isn’t often about luck or vibes. More about showing VCs you’ve got control over your numbers.

This week, we’re breaking down the exact metrics that make startups fundable.

You’ll get a dead-simple scoring model, plus a way to pitch your AI startup for $50K.

Here’s a snapshot of what’s on the menu today:

💡 Spotlight

AI founders: Got a game-changing startup?

Building the future of AI? Here's your shot at $50K to make it happen.

The Next Big AIdea pitch competition is live. If you've got an AI startup that's changing how businesses grow, we want to see it.

Record a 60-second pitch and you could win $50,000 cash, $25K in AWS credits, 600K Clay credits + Pro Plan, and exposure to millions through HubSpot Media's network.

Five finalists get flown to San Francisco to pitch live at INBOUND 2025 in front of 1,000+ industry leaders.

Your AI idea deserves more than just another LinkedIn post.

Submit your pitch today

Presented by

🧠 Deep-Dive: Getting VC Ready

Most founders think “fundable” means you’ve got a slick pitch deck, a solid TAM slide, and maybe some early traction.

That’s not wrong but it’s not enough.

VCs don’t just bet on dreams. They bet on numbers that prove your vision could scale.

Every single investor who is giving you money is expecting more in return in the foreseeable future. What are they actually looking for?

Metrics that show you're not just burning cash, and you know how to turn $1 into $3… and do it over and over again.

Here are 5 metrics for you to have a bulletproof VC-ready checklist:

1. CAC Payback

   If it takes 18+ months to make back your CAC, that’s too long. Under 6 months? You’re efficient. That means you can grow without constant fundraising.

2. Net Revenue Retention (NRR) = Product Value

   100%+ NRR shows you’re not just keeping customers but they’re spending more. That’s a strong signal your product is working.

3. Operational Efficiency

   1.5x+ is the target. Spend $1, get $1.50 back. Anything below 1x and you’re burning more than you earn. Investors will hesitate.

4. Time to Cash Out

   You want at least 18+ months of runway. Less than 12 and you’re on thin ice. Nobody likes to fund desperation.

5. Stickiness

   If 95% of customers stay, you're in a good spot. Below 85%, and something’s off with the product or onboarding.

Check out what our readers also enjoy reading:

🗺️ Method: Customer Health Scoring Model

⚾️ Catch

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