Subscription Startup Benchmarks 2026

Based on data from 119 startups in The Founders' Group network.

Key Metrics

Median MRR
$2K
Monthly recurring revenue
Median ARR
$45K
Annual recurring revenue
Median Burn Rate
N/A
Monthly cash burn
Median Runway
15 mo
Months of runway remaining
Avg Team Size
3.1
Full-time team members
Median LTV:CAC
N/A
Lifetime value to acquisition cost
Avg Gross Margin
69.4%
Revenue after COGS
% With Revenue
32.8%
Startups generating revenue
% Profitable
0.8%
Startups currently profitable
Avg YoY Growth
N/A
Year-over-year revenue growth

Grade Distribution

A
23 (19%)
B
44 (37%)
C
34 (29%)
D
3 (3%)
F
15 (13%)

Top Cities

AustinHoustonSan FranciscoLondonPasadena

How Do You Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Subscription startups are in the benchmark?
Our benchmarks are based on 119 Subscription startups in The Founders' Group network. Data is refreshed regularly as new startups join.
What metrics matter most for Subscription 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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