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ENT 404 · Unit 1 of 6

Startup Financial Statements and Cash Planning

Entrepreneurial Finance, SAFEs and Cap Tables

Start unit · 4 lessons →

Learning objectives

  • Build a three-statement startup model with explicit assumptions
  • Apply "Startup Financial Statements and Cash Planning" to a real venture decision
  • Contribute to your Startup financial model deliverable

Unit overview

#LessonCore idea
1Foundations of Startup Financial Statements and Cash PlanningCore frameworks for this unit
2Key Concepts and Vocabulary in Startup Financial Statements and Cash PlanningCore frameworks for this unit
3Frameworks for Analyzing Startup Financial Statements and Cash PlanningCore frameworks for this unit
4Startup Financial Statements and Cash Planning: Applied Business DecisionsCore frameworks for this unit

Complete all four lessons, then finish unit assessments on this page.

Unit assessment

Complete each section below. Score 80%+ on the quiz to finish this unit's assessment.

50% applied project30% case work20% knowledge checks

Exercises

Apply what you learned in this unit with structured practice.

ExerciseApplied practice: Startup Financial Statements and Cash Planning45 min
Complete a focused practice exercise on **Startup Financial Statements and Cash Planning**. 1. Choose a real company, product, or situation you know. 2. Apply one core framework from this unit to analyze it. 3. Write your analysis in 300–500 words with a clear recommendation. 4. Cite at least one credible source.

Deliverable

300–500 word analysis document saved to your portfolio under ENT 404.

Rubric

  • Framework applied correctly (not just named)
  • Specific evidence from a real example
  • Clear recommendation with tradeoffs acknowledged
  • Professional writing with source citation
ExerciseDrill: Startup Financial Statements and Cash Planning30 min
Work through the practice problems in the unit lesson without looking at notes. Then check your work against the lesson and write a short reflection: - What you got right - One mistake you caught - One concept to review before the next unit

Deliverable

Problem solutions + 150-word reflection in your ENT 404 workbook.

Rubric

  • Attempted all practice items before checking answers
  • Honest reflection on errors
  • Identifies a specific review action

Case analysis

Analyze a case using frameworks from this unit.

CaseCase analysis: Startup Financial Statements and Cash Planning60 min
Analyze a real business case through the lens of **Startup Financial Statements and Cash Planning**. Choose a public company event, HBR-style case, or documented decision. **Deliverable structure:** 1. Situation summary (150 words) 2. Analysis using this unit's frameworks (400 words) 3. Recommendation (150 words) 4. Risks and what would change your mind

Deliverable

2-page case write-up in your portfolio.

Rubric

  • Case facts are accurate and sourced
  • Analysis uses unit frameworks explicitly
  • Recommendation is justified with tradeoffs
  • Risks are specific, not generic

Knowledge quiz

Check your understanding before marking the unit complete.

1. RelayOps has $920,000 cash and net burn of $120,000 per month. Approximately how many months of runway remain if nothing changes?

2. RelayOps collects $96,000 upfront for a twelve-month annual contract on April 1. Under accrual revenue recognition, how much revenue is earned in April alone?

3. Which event increases cash but does NOT increase revenue on the income statement?

4. RelayOps reports gross burn of $185,000 and recognized monthly revenue of $64,000 (eight customers). What is simplified net burn?

5. On RelayOps's December 31 balance sheet, eight annual prepayments create large deferred revenue. What does deferred revenue represent economically?

6. A 13-week cash forecast ending at $412,000 from $920,000 beginning cash implies average quarterly net cash use of approximately:

7. RelayOps's burn multiple in early 2025 is often computed as net burn divided by net new ARR. If net burn is $86,000 and net new ARR is $43,000 per month annualized ($516,000/year), burn multiple is approximately:

8. Which mistake does RelayOps's board correct when it insists on separate cash and accrual views before approving hires?