Pre-Seed Startup Benchmarks 2026

Based on data from 138 startups in The Founders' Group network.

Key Metrics

Median MRR
$2K
Monthly recurring revenue
Median ARR
$45K
Annual recurring revenue
Median Burn Rate
$45K
Monthly cash burn
Median Runway
18 mo
Months of runway remaining
Avg Team Size
2.9
Full-time team members
Median LTV:CAC
N/A
Lifetime value to acquisition cost
Avg Gross Margin
45.6%
Revenue after COGS
% With Revenue
31.9%
Startups generating revenue
% Profitable
0.7%
Startups currently profitable
Avg YoY Growth
N/A
Year-over-year revenue growth

Grade Distribution

A
34 (25%)
B
58 (42%)
C
32 (23%)
D
7 (5%)
F
7 (5%)

Top Cities

HoustonSan FranciscoTampaTorontoLas Vegas

How Do You Compare?

Enter your metrics below to see how you compare against Pre-Seed startups in our network.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Pre-Seed startups are in the benchmark?
Our benchmarks are based on 138 Pre-Seed startups in The Founders' Group network. Data is refreshed regularly as new startups join.
What metrics matter most for Pre-Seed 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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