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Startup-Cost Planner
Estimate the initial setup capital and monthly operating reserves needed to launch your new venture.
Load Business Profile Preset:
Cost Ledger
| Item / Category | Amount | Type |
|---|
Capital Requirement Summary
One-time Capital Expenses (CAPEX):
$0
Operating Cash Reserves (OPEX):
$0
Total Funding Required:
$0
Budget Allocations
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Budgeting Startup Costs
Startup cost calculations identify the total capital needed to fund a business launch and support its initial months before operations reach break-even. Under-capitalization (running out of cash) is the number one cause of startup failure.
The Capital Splits
We structure your budget into two primary capital categories:
- Capital Expenses (CAPEX / One-time): Assets bought once to establish the business (e.g. computer equipment, website development, legal trademarks, corporate state filing fees).
- Operating Reserves (OPEX / Reserves): Cash set aside in the bank to cover ongoing operational cash-flow needs (e.g., 3 to 6 months of rent, advertising, client acquisition, and basic software subscriptions) before revenue begins covering them.
The Formula
Total Capital Required = Σ(CAPEX Cost) + Σ(OPEX Cost)
Worked Example
Assume you launch an independent graphic design freelance business:
- CAPEX: Macbook Pro ($2,500), website ($500), LLC setup ($200) = $3,200
- OPEX Reserves: Adobe CC subscription ($300), 3 months marketing reserves ($1,500) = $1,800
- Total Startup Capital: $3,200 + $1,800 = $5,000