Startup Quiz: When Should You Raise?

Fundraising Timing Quiz

About the Quiz

This is an interactive assessment tool that helps startup founders determine their readiness for fundraising. The quiz consists of 8 questions covering key areas that influence fundraising timing and success potential.

Questions Asked:

  1. Runway Assessment: How many months of cash runway remain at current burn rate

  2. Revenue Growth: Monthly revenue growth rate over the last 3 months

  3. Key Metrics: Which important business metrics have been achieved (multiple selections allowed)

    • Product-market fit

    • Consistent revenue

    • Positive unit economics

    • Improving efficiency metrics

  4. Investor Pipeline: Current state of investor relationships and discussions

  5. Due Diligence Readiness: State of preparation for investor due diligence

  6. Leadership Team: Completeness and experience of the leadership team

  7. Competitive Position: Strength of competitive advantages and differentiation

  8. Expansion Potential: Growth opportunities over next 12-24 months

Scoring System:

  1. Each question (except metrics) is scored on a 0-3 scale:

    • 0 points: Significant challenges or gaps

    • 1 point: Basic/minimal progress

    • 2 points: Good progress

    • 3 points: Excellent position

  2. The metrics question allows multiple selections, with one point per achievement

  3. Total score is calculated as a percentage of maximum possible points

Results Categories:

  1. Urgent (Triggered by low runway regardless of other scores)

    • Recommendation: Begin fundraising immediately

    • Timeline: Start within 2 weeks

    • Focus: Bridge funding and cost reduction while preparing for full raise

  2. Optimal (80%+ of total possible score)

    • Recommendation: Begin fundraising now

    • Timeline: Start within 1 month

    • Focus: Launch full process with confidence

  3. Near-Term (60-79% of total possible score)

    • Recommendation: Begin preparation for fundraising

    • Timeline: Start within 2-3 months

    • Focus: Strengthen remaining weak areas while starting conversations

  4. Delayed (40-59% of total possible score)

    • Recommendation: Address key gaps before fundraising

    • Timeline: Start in 3-6 months

    • Focus: Improve core metrics and build relationships

  5. Not Ready (Below 40% of total possible score)

    • Recommendation: Focus on business fundamentals

    • Timeline: Reassess in 6 months

    • Focus: Build core metrics and market position

Contact Marion Street Capital to discuss how our FinOps expertise can help your growth stage company raise capital.