Top 5 Metrics Every Early-Stage Founder Should Track

Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR): Your clearest snapshot of predictable growth and investor-ready traction.

Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Shows how efficiently you’re buying growth before scaling burns cash.

Customer Lifetime Value (LTV): Reveals how much long-term revenue each customer truly brings.

Burn Rate: The speed at which your startup consumes cash—and your real runway indicator.

Retention Rate: Proof that users love your product enough to stay, return, and pay repeatedly.