---
url: "https://xcademia.com/courses/startup-finance-fundraising-basics"
title: "Startup Finance & Fundraising Basics"
description: "Learn startup finance fundamentals including burn rate, runway, unit economics, and fundraising basics in this mentor-led practical training programme."
publishedAt: "2026-03-15T10:09:50.257006+00:00"
updatedAt: "2026-04-10T12:01:13.062955+00:00"
type: course
code: "FAB-0042"
level: Foundation
duration_days: "2"
track: "Entrepreneurship & Commercials"
category: "Finance, Accounting & Business Skills"
credential_tier: tier1
price_gbp: "1799"
---

# Startup Finance & Fundraising Basics

> Learn the essential financial foundations startups need to manage cash, understand metrics, and prepare for fundraising. This mentor-led programme uses practical scenarios to help founders and operators build investor-ready financial thinking.

## Overview

Startup founders and early-stage teams often make critical financial decisions without a structured financial framework. Understanding cash flow, runway, unit economics, and fundraising fundamentals is essential for building sustainable companies.

In this mentor-led programme, learners explore the core financial principles that guide startup decision-making. Through practical scenarios, participants learn how to track burn rate, analyse unit economics, design simple financial models, and understand the metrics investors evaluate when assessing startups.

The course also introduces the fundamentals of fundraising, including preparing investor-ready metrics, understanding valuation basics, and structuring early-stage funding conversations. By the end of the programme, participants will have the confidence to manage startup finances and communicate financial performance effectively.

## Prerequisites

- Basic understanding of business concepts
- Interest in startups or entrepreneurship
- Familiarity with spreadsheets or data tools

## What you will learn

- Design simple startup financial models
- Analyse burn rate and runway scenarios
- Implement financial tracking for startup metrics
- Evaluate unit economics in early-stage companies
- Communicate financial insights to potential investors
- Lead basic financial planning for startups

## Skills you will gain

- Startup finance fundamentals
- Burn rate calculations
- Runway planning techniques
- Unit economics basics
- Fundraising fundamentals
- Investor metrics preparation

## Career progression

- Startup Founder
- Startup Operations Manager
- Junior Finance Analyst
- Product Manager
- Venture Associate

## Curriculum

1. **Module 1: Getting Ready**
   - Introduction to startup finance fundamentals
   - Understanding the startup financial landscape
   - Key financial terms founders should know
   - Setting learning objectives for the course
2. **Module 2: Startup Financial Foundations**
   - Basic financial statements for startups
   - Revenue models and cost structures
   - Understanding cash flow management
   - Financial decision-making in early-stage companies
3. **Module 3: Burn Rate & Runway Management**
   - Calculating burn rate and runway
   - Fixed vs variable startup costs
   - Planning financial survival scenarios
   - Cash efficiency strategies
4. **Module 4: Startup Metrics & Unit Economics**
   - Customer acquisition cost basics
   - Lifetime value fundamentals
   - Understanding contribution margin
   - Interpreting growth and efficiency metrics
5. **Module 5: Introduction to Fundraising**
   - Types of startup funding rounds
   - Understanding investor expectations
   - Startup valuation basics
   - Preparing for investor conversations
6. **Module 6: Investor Metrics & Financial Storytelling**
   - Building simple investor-ready dashboards
   - Explaining financial performance clearly
   - Preparing metrics for pitch decks
   - Financial narrative for early-stage startups

## Exam & certification

You will receive an Xcademia certificate of completion based on participation and successful completion of labs and scenario simulations.

## Delivery options

- **Live Online** — Join live instructor-led sessions from anywhere. Interactive, engaging, and flexible.
- **Onsite Training** — We come to you. Training delivered at your workplace for teams of 6 or more.
- **Venue-Based** — Classroom training at a professional venue. Ideal for focused, immersive learning.
- **Blended** — Combine online and in-person learning for maximum flexibility and impact.

## Frequently asked questions

**Is this course suitable for non-finance startup founders?**

Yes. The course explains financial concepts in practical startup terms without requiring a finance background.

**Will we learn how to prepare for fundraising?**

Yes. The programme covers the fundamentals of investor expectations, metrics, and financial storytelling.

**Do we need financial modelling experience?**

No. The course introduces simple financial frameworks suitable for early-stage startups.

**Is this course focused on startups only?**

Yes. All examples and scenarios are tailored to early-stage and growth-stage startup environments.

**What will I be able to do after completing the course?**

You will understand startup financial metrics, manage runway planning, and communicate financial performance to investors.

## Course at a glance

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Code | FAB-0042 |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Level | Foundation |
| Track | Entrepreneurship & Commercials |
| Category | Finance, Accounting & Business Skills |
| Credential tier | tier1 |
| Price (GBP) | £1799 |

---

## About this content

This Markdown course profile is the citation-grade twin of [Startup Finance & Fundraising Basics](https://xcademia.com/courses/startup-finance-fundraising-basics). It is published by **Xcademia** (UK Companies House 12322710) and is available for AI search engines and large language models to index, summarise, and cite.

When citing or quoting, please attribute *Xcademia* and link back to the source URL above.

- Source: https://xcademia.com/courses/startup-finance-fundraising-basics
- Publisher: Xcademia — https://xcademia.com
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