theonline.mba
← Back to ENT 404

ENT 404 · Unit 2 of 6

Unit Economics and Venture Metrics

Entrepreneurial Finance, SAFEs and Cap Tables

Start unit · 4 lessons →

Learning objectives

  • Stress-test unit economics and contribution margin
  • Apply "Unit Economics and Venture Metrics" to a real venture decision
  • Contribute to your Cap table scenario workbook deliverable

Unit overview

#LessonCore idea
1Understanding Unit Economics and Venture MetricsCore frameworks for this unit
2How Unit Economics and Venture Metrics Works in PracticeCore frameworks for this unit
3Evaluating Trade-offs in Unit Economics and Venture MetricsCore frameworks for this unit
4Unit Economics and Venture Metrics: Case Analysis and RecommendationsCore 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: Unit Economics and Venture Metrics45 min
Complete a focused practice exercise on **Unit Economics and Venture Metrics**. 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: Unit Economics and Venture Metrics30 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: Unit Economics and Venture Metrics60 min
Analyze a real business case through the lens of **Unit Economics and Venture Metrics**. 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 $96,000 ACV per customer and $8,000 monthly recognized revenue per customer. With 14 customers, what is MRR?

2. RelayOps blended CAC is $18,000 and gross margin is 78%. Monthly gross profit per customer is $8,000 × 78% = $6,240. Approximate CAC payback in months?

3. If RelayOps loses 2 of 14 customers in a quarter (14.3% logo churn) but remaining customers expand, ending MRR is flat. What metric captures expansion offsetting churn?

4. RelayOps LTV using simple formula: monthly gross profit $6,240 / monthly churn 2% equals approximate customer lifetime months of:

5. LTV:CAC ratio for RelayOps with LTV ≈ $312,000 and CAC $18,000 is approximately:

6. RelayOps adds 2 customers in a month at $8,000 MRR each but churns 1. Net new MRR for the month is:

7. Increasing sales spend 40% raises new logos 20% but lengthens payback from 2.9 to 4.5 months. What trade-off does Lesson 3 emphasize?

8. RelayOps board memo recommends delaying enterprise sales hire because burn multiple exceeds 2.5×. Which input is NOT required for that metric?