Research
Free Tools and Research for Bootstrapped Founders
Free calculators and original data for bootstrapped founders. Plan when to go full time and check your runway. Split equity with a co-founder, value your company and see what you keep at exit.
Tools
Interactive calculator
SaaS Valuation Calculator
Estimate what your SaaS company is worth from ARR, growth, retention and margins. Based on the SaaS Capital valuation formula and the current public SaaS multiple.
Interactive calculator
Ramen Profitability Calculator
Find the MRR that pays your living costs after Stripe fees and tax. See the customers you need and a safe date to quit your job.
Interactive calculator
Default Alive Calculator
Find out if your startup is default alive or default dead. See your breakeven month, your runway and the growth or cost cut that flips the verdict. Based on Paul Graham's test.
Interactive calculator
Co-founder Equity Split Calculator
Split equity between 2 to 4 co-founders. Compare a weighted factor model with Slicing Pie, then see 4-year vesting and each stake after a seed round.
Interactive test
Co-founder Compatibility Test
Two founders answer the same 30 questions on risk, money, exit goals, roles and conflict. See your alignment on 8 dimensions and the 5 biggest gaps to discuss.
Interactive calculator
Venture Studio Equity Calculator
Compare a venture studio, an accelerator and going alone. See what you own at exit, the expected value of each path and the break-even studio stake.
Interactive calculator
Bootstrapped vs VC Exit Calculator
See what founders actually take home at every funding stage, or enter your own ownership to model your exit. Based on Carta 2024-2025 dilution data.
Data & Reports
The $100M Exit: What Founders Take Home
At a $100M exit, bootstrapped founders keep $100M. After Series B, the founding team keeps $23M. The full breakdown.
The Funding Paradox: More Capital, Less Wealth
Mailchimp founders ($0 raised) are worth $5B each. Instacart's founder ($2.8B raised) is worth $1.3B. The scatter plot that explains why.
Revenue Per Employee: Bootstrapped vs Funded
Bootstrapped companies dominate efficiency rankings. Ahrefs generates $872K per employee with zero investors.
YC Graveyard vs Bootstrapped Survivors
YC companies that raised millions and failed, next to bootstrapped competitors that survived and thrived.