Climate Startup Funding Calculator
Estimate a reasonable fundraising target (Low / Base / High) using runway, hiring plan, sector and location.
Inputs
Fast estimate â tweak the advanced settings if youâre hardware-heavy.
Results
Range for Seed round planning (Low / Base / High).
This estimate targets ~18 months of runway for a seed climate startup. We model team growth from 2 FTE today with 2 planned hires over 12 months (average team size â 3.4). Costs are adjusted using a sector multiplier (0.85) and intensity multiplier (1.00), then we add a buffer of 15%. We assume no revenue offsets (you can add revenue if applicable). Use Low/Base/High as a planning range, not a guarantee.
Methodology & assumptions
We estimate monthly burn from (1) team costs by region, (2) sector multiplier, (3) intensity multiplier, plus a simple overhead model. We subtract revenue and expected non-dilutive funding, then add buffer and optional fundraising costs.
This tool is for planning only. Always cross-check with your real budget, hiring plan, and GTM timeline.
FAQ
Quick answers about how this calculator works and how to interpret the results.
How accurate is this climate startup funding calculator?
Itâs a planning model, not a guarantee. It estimates fundraising needs from your runway target, team size, region cost assumptions, sector and intensity multipliers, plus optional buffer and fundraising costs.
What does Low / Base / High mean?
Theyâre scenario ranges around the Base estimate. Use Low as an optimistic case, Base as your expected plan, and High as a conservative cushion for delays, hiring acceleration, or higher burn.
Does this include revenue and grants?
Yes. You can enter monthly revenue (reduces net burn) and expected non-dilutive funding like grants over the next 12 months (reduces the funding target).
How are regional costs estimated?
The tool uses a rough cost-per-FTE baseline by region to approximate salaries and operating costs. Itâs meant to be directionally helpfulâadjust inputs to match your real compensation and overhead.
What is âintensityâ and why does it matter?
Intensity models how expensive your operating setup is. Software-only is cheaper, while lab-heavy or pilot/manufacturing work is more capital intensive and increases estimated burn.
Should I include fundraising costs?
If youâre raising from investors, usually yes. Legal, admin, and closing costs can be meaningful, especially as round sizes increase.
What runway should I target for a climate tech startup?
Common targets are 12â24 months. Hardware, pilots, and regulatory-heavy paths often benefit from longer runway, while software-only teams can sometimes target shorter cycles.
Can I share this result with my cofounder or investors?
Yes. The tool generates a shareable URL that includes your inputs via the querystring, so others can open the same scenario instantly.