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What metrics should I actually report to investors?

Report the handful of numbers that tell the real story of your business: revenue or ARR, growth rate, burn and runway, and your core engagement or retention metric. Use consistent definitions every month so trends are readable. Investors have seen every vanity metric; give them the real ones and they'll trust the rest of your update.

Go deeper

3 resources, 3 link-checked.

🛠️ Tool
✓ Link checked Free Intermediate

Turns the a16z metrics framework into a concrete, reportable template so your investor updates carry the numbers investors actually want. Great bridge between knowing metrics and reporting them consistently.

a16z Startup Metrics Template (for updates and reporting)

From Visible.vc by Visible.vc (based on a16z metrics) template

  • Standardizes the core metrics (revenue, growth, burn, runway, retention) for monthly reporting
  • Consistent definitions make your trends readable over time
  • Report the handful of numbers that tell the real story, not vanity metrics
Open visible.vc →
📄 Article
✓ Link checked Free Beginner

The most practical guide to investor updates, from a company that exists purely to help founders send them. Concrete structure plus real templates you can copy this month.

How to Write the Perfect Investor Update (Tips and Templates)

From Visible.vc by Visible.vc 15 min read

  • Five core parts: summary, KPIs, highlights, lowlights, and specific asks
  • Consistency and cadence matter more than polish; send it every month
  • Make asks specific and easy so investors can actually act on them
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📋 Template
✓ Link checked Free Beginner

A ready-to-use version of the update format YC recommends to its founders. Removes every excuse for not sending a clean, professional monthly update.

Y Combinator Investor Update Template

From Visible.vc by Y Combinator / Visible.vc copy-paste template

  • A simple, proven structure: asks, key metrics, highlights, lowlights, team updates
  • Designed for the monthly cadence seed-stage founders should keep
  • Copy it, fill it in, and ship it in under 30 minutes
Open visible.vc →

Terms in this answer

Vanity Metric Retention Runway MRR

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