Essay · ~1,200 words, about a 6 minute read

Ramen Profitable

Paul Graham · paulgraham.com Free Beginner

This is the sharpest short answer to the real fear behind the question: how do I not go broke funding this. Graham reframes the goal away from a big pile of savings and toward covering just your own living costs so you stop needing outside money to survive. Read it as a starting point for setting your own personal floor, not as a rule about exact rupee amounts.

• The milestone that actually protects you is when the business covers your personal living expenses, not when you have raised a big round.
• Once you are not dependent on the next cheque, you negotiate from strength: investors who know you are desperate will price that in.
• Keeping your own burn low (yours, not just the company's) is what buys you the room to say no.