HOW MUCH CAPITAL DO YOU REALLY NEED TO START YOUR BUSINESS ?

One of the most common questions entrepreneurs ask is, “How much money do I need to start my business?”

While the answer depends on your business model, industry, and growth timeline, there are proven methods to calculate what you truly need—and avoid the dangers of guessing.

At OneLink Financials, we help founders create financial strategies that don’t just support growth—they protect it. Here’s how to calculate your capital needs and guard against the most common startup risks.

1. Start With a Detailed Startup Cost Breakdown

Before launching, build a clear breakdown of your startup expenses. These often include:

• Business registration & legal (LLC, licenses, insurance)

• Office or remote workspace setup

• Technology needs (equipment, software, website, hosting)

• Inventory or production costs

• Marketing and launch campaigns

• Staffing or freelance support

• Cash buffer (10–20% extra for unexpected costs)

We help you build a financial model that accounts for every line item—so you’re never surprised.

2. Understand Fixed vs. Variable Costs

Knowing your fixed (recurring) and variable (fluctuating) costs is key to understanding how long your money will last.

• Fixed: Office rent, salaries, utilities

• Variable: Inventory, marketing spend, sales commissions

A good financial plan should forecast how these costs shift as you grow—and show when you’ll hit break-even.

3. Set a Runway That Buys You Time

Runway = Cash on Hand ÷ Monthly Expenses

Most startups should aim for 6–12 months of runway, especially in industries with long sales cycles or heavy upfront investment.

We help businesses test different runway scenarios using cash flow modeling, so you can build with confidence—not fear.

4. Don’t Forget Risk Management Strategies

Even the best plans run into roadblocks. That’s why we work with you to build financial risk strategies tailored to your startup, such as:

• Contingency funding plans if revenue falls short

• Emergency cash buffers for unexpected expenses or slow sales

• Scenario analysis to test different market conditions (e.g., inflation, supply chain delays)

• Spending controls to avoid budget creep

• Insurance and compliance budgeting to avoid regulatory fines or gaps in protection

At OneLink, we don’t just help you raise capital—we help you protect it.

5. Choose the Right Funding Source

Once your capital target is clear, explore the best funding options for your model:

• Bootstrapping (personal savings, family and friends)

• Small business loans or SBA programs

• Angel investors or venture capital

• Crowdfunding campaigns

• Revenue-based financing or grants

Each option has trade-offs. We guide clients through cost-of-capital comparisons to make sure you’re not giving up equity too soon—or taking on debt you can’t sustain.

Final Thoughts

Too many startups fail not because of a bad product—but because of poor financial planning.Knowing how much capital you need—and protecting it with strong risk strategies—is the foundation of a successful launch.

Let OneLink Financials help you calculate, protect, and grow your capital.We’re not just your finance team—we’re your strategic partner. Schedule a free consultation and let’s build your startup right.