Bootstrapped Startup Benchmarks 2026

Based on data from 89 startups in The Founders' Group network.

Key Metrics

Median MRR
$2K
Monthly recurring revenue
Median ARR
$4K
Annual recurring revenue
Median Burn Rate
N/A
Monthly cash burn
Median Runway
N/A
Months of runway remaining
Avg Team Size
N/A
Full-time team members
Median LTV:CAC
N/A
Lifetime value to acquisition cost
Avg Gross Margin
N/A
Revenue after COGS
% With Revenue
15.7%
Startups generating revenue
% Profitable
0.0%
Startups currently profitable
Avg YoY Growth
N/A
Year-over-year revenue growth

Grade Distribution

A
0 (0%)
B
8 (9%)
C
45 (51%)
D
19 (21%)
F
17 (19%)

Top Cities

DallasSan AntonioLa Dorada

How Do You Compare?

Enter your metrics below to see how you compare against Bootstrapped startups in our network.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Bootstrapped startups are in the benchmark?
Our benchmarks are based on 89 Bootstrapped startups in The Founders' Group network. Data is refreshed regularly as new startups join.
What metrics matter most for Bootstrapped startups?
Key metrics include MRR growth rate, burn rate relative to runway, and unit economics (LTV:CAC ratio). The specific thresholds vary by funding stage — pre-seed founders should focus on product-market fit signals, while seed-stage startups need strong retention and growth rates.
How are grades calculated?
Grades are based on a composite score across 6 tiers: Survival & Truth (revenue, burn, runway), Engine Health (LTV, CAC, unit economics), Retention (churn, NRR), Growth Efficiency (MoM/YoY growth), Market & Narrative (TAM, competition), and Traction & Team. Each tier is weighted and the final score maps to a letter grade.

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