How much money do I need to start a SaaS?
Enough to cover your costs for long enough to reach the point where the business pays for itself — usually 12-18 months of runway. That depends on your monthly burn (costs minus revenue) and how fast you grow. There is no single figure: it is roughly your monthly burn multiplied by the months it takes to reach break-even.
The simple way to size it
Two numbers: how much you lose each month at the start (your costs minus any early revenue), and how many months until the business covers itself. Multiply them and you have the cash cushion you need. If you lose €4,000/month and expect 15 months to break-even, you need roughly €60,000 — less if revenue ramps fast, more if it is slow.
For a solo founder, the biggest hidden cost is your own living expenses while you are not drawing a salary. Count those in, or you will undershoot.
Why 12-18 months is the usual target
The cushion of months you can operate without running out is your runway. Most early-stage founders aim for 12-18 months because building revenue takes longer than expected, and under ~6 months you are forced into bad decisions (rushed pricing, a desperate raise). Runway is freedom to make good calls.
You do not need a fixed "startup cost" — you need a runway that reaches break-even with margin to spare.
Size yours free
Our free runway calculator lets you put in your cash, costs, revenue and growth to see how many months you have, when you would break even, and whether your starting cushion is enough — before you commit.
FAQ
How much does it cost to run a SaaS per month?
Early on, often surprisingly little in tools (hosting and services can be tens to low-hundreds of euros). The real cost is usually your own time/living expenses and any marketing. Count those, not just the software bill.
Do I need investors to start a SaaS?
No. Most indie SaaS are bootstrapped from savings and early revenue. You need enough runway to reach break-even — that can come from savings, not necessarily a raise. Knowing your number tells you which path is realistic.
Check your own numbers.
Startkeel tells you in minutes whether your SaaS holds up.
Last updated: June 25, 2026. For information only — not financial advice.