Free ForeverNo SignupSeries A BenchmarkUpdated 2026

Series A Readiness Calculator

Score your startup against Series A benchmarks — and see exactly which metrics to improve before fundraising.

Series A investors look for a specific combination of metrics: sufficient ARR (~$1M+), strong growth (3× YoY+), healthy retention (NRR 100%+), and capital efficiency (burn multiple < 2×). Checking all boxes isn't required, but you need a compelling story on most.

Current ARR

Annual Recurring Revenue

ARR Growth (YoY)

Year-over-year ARR growth percentage

Net Revenue Retention

NRR: expansion + renewal revenue vs. last year's cohort

Burn Multiple

Net burn ÷ net new ARR (lower is better)

CAC Payback PeriodOptional — adds capital efficiency score

Months to recover customer acquisition cost

The Formula

Score = ARR Score (20) + Growth Score (20) + NRR Score (20) + Burn Multiple Score (20) + optional CAC Payback (20)

In plain English

Score ARR, growth rate, NRR, and burn multiple against Series A benchmarks. Sum scores for a composite readiness percentage.

Worked Example

$1.2M ARR = 10pts. 150% YoY = 12pts. NRR 105% = 12pts. Burn 1.5× = 16pts. Total: 50/80 = 63/100 — Close to ready.

What Series A Investors Look For

Series A is about proving that your business model works and that you can grow it efficiently. The minimum bar: $1M ARR growing 3× year-over-year with NRR above 100% and a defensible moat. Below $1M ARR, most top-tier VCs won't engage (exceptions exist for deep tech or healthcare).

The best Series A stories combine strong metrics with a large, clear market opportunity. Investors need to believe you can reach $50–100M ARR in 5–7 years. Your metrics demonstrate you're on that path.

$1M+

ARR minimum for most Series A investors

3× YoY

Target ARR growth (T2D3)

100%+

Minimum NRR for Series A

< 2×

Burn multiple target for Series A

Series A Benchmarks (2026)

Metric	Minimum	Good	Excellent
ARR	$500K	$1M–$2M	$2M+
YoY Growth	100%	150–200%	300%+
NRR	90%	100–110%	120%+
Burn Multiple	< 3×	< 2×	< 1×
CAC Payback	< 36 mo	< 24 mo	< 12 mo

Source: Bessemer State of the Cloud 2025 · OpenView SaaS Benchmarks 2024

Common Mistakes

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Pitching Series A before $1M ARR

Most top-tier Series A funds have an unwritten minimum of $1M ARR. Below that, you're raising seed — even if you call it a Series A. The exception: deep tech, biotech, or enterprise sales with long cycles and a credible path.

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Growing revenue by sacrificing NRR

Signing customers with unsustainable pricing or weak product fit inflates ARR but destroys NRR. A company with $2M ARR growing 200% but 80% NRR is a churn machine — investors will see through it in diligence.

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Starting the raise too early

One extra quarter of strong metrics can add multiple turns of valuation. A $1.5M ARR company growing 200% YoY with NRR 115% is a much stronger Series A candidate than the same company at $1M ARR.