KPIs for Navigating Your Company’s Growth Stage
9 Jan, 2025
KPIs for Navigating Your Company’s Growth Stage : The CLV to CAC Ratio

As we kick off the year, it’s time to focus on one of the most critical KPIs for driving sustainable…

25 Dec, 2024
Christmas Dinner Consumption Rate

As the holiday season comes into full swing, one of the most anticipated moments is the Christmas dinner. It’s a…

18 Dec, 2024
Thank You for a Year of Growth and Trust

As we reflect on 2024, we are filled with gratitude for an incredible year of progress, collaboration, and success. This…

12 Dec, 2024
KPIs for Navigating Your Company’s Growth Stage

As your company enters the growth stage, the stakes become higher. Growth brings exciting opportunities, but it also introduces new…

6 Dec, 2024
KPIs for Navigating Your Company’s Growth Stage

As your company transitions into the growth stage, it encounters a host of new challenges and opportunities. Scaling operations, optimizing…

28 Nov, 2024
Why Documenting Your Culture Can Be a Game-Changer for 2025

As we approach the end of another year, it’s natural for organizations to reflect on the past and prepare for…

13 Nov, 2024
Leveraging the Net Promoter Score (NPS) as a Strategic Tool for CFOs

The Net Promoter Score (NPS) is more than just a customer feedback metric; it’s a powerful strategic tool that can…

Presenting a Problem and Solution The Airbnb Pitch Deck Formula
8 Nov, 2024
Presenting a Problem and Solution: The Airbnb Pitch Deck Formula

When Airbnb launched, it disrupted the travel industry by solving a fundamental problem with an innovative solution. Their pitch deck…

Using Customer Testimonials to Strengthen Your Pitch Presentation
8 Nov, 2024
Using Customer Testimonials to Strengthen Your Pitch Presentation

In today’s competitive business environment, trust and credibility are crucial for winning new clients, investors, or partners. For startups and…

How Cloud Solutions Improve Payment Fraud Detection for SMEs
8 Nov, 2024
How Cloud Solutions Improve Payment Fraud Detection for SMEs

As payment fraud continues to rise, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face growing risks in safeguarding transactions. Traditional fraud detection…

Cross-Border Payments in 2024 What European SMEs Need to Know
8 Nov, 2024
Cross-Border Payments in 2024: What European SMEs Need to Know

In an increasingly globalised economy, cross-border payments are vital for European SMEs expanding into new markets. However, these transactions come…

AI-Powered Automation in Payments Reducing Errors and Improving Efficiency
8 Nov, 2024
AI-Powered Automation in Payments: Reducing Errors and Improving Efficiency

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way businesses handle payments, driving efficiency and reducing human error. For SMEs in Switzerland…

How Blockchain Can Transform International Payments for Startups
8 Nov, 2024
How Blockchain Can Transform International Payments for Startups

Blockchain technology is revolutionising the way businesses handle international payments. For startups operating in Switzerland and across Europe, blockchain provides…

How Finance Automation is Changing Business Payments
7 Nov, 2024
How Finance Automation is Changing Business Payments

The rise of finance automation is transforming business payments, helping companies streamline operations, reduce errors, and optimise cash flow. In…

Why SMEs Should Embrace Digital Wallets and Real-Time Payments
7 Nov, 2024
Why SMEs Should Embrace Digital Wallets and Real-Time Payments

Digital wallets and real-time payments are becoming essential tools for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Switzerland and Europe. As…

How Real-Time Payments Are Transforming Digital Commerce in Europe
7 Nov, 2024
How Real-Time Payments Are Transforming Digital Commerce in Europe

Real-time payments (RTP) are revolutionising the way transactions are conducted across Europe, particularly in digital commerce. As customers increasingly demand…

6 Nov, 2024
Think Your Company is Lean? Lessons from a Brazilian Moving Company

Being “lean” has become a guiding principle for businesses in Switzerland, especially startups and SMEs aiming to maximize efficiency. But…

The Future of Open Banking Payments Opportunities for SMEs
6 Nov, 2024
The Future of Open Banking Payments: Opportunities for SMEs

Open banking is reshaping financial services by enabling secure data sharing between banks and third-party providers. This innovation is opening…

How API-Driven Payment Platforms Revolutionise Financial Transactions
6 Nov, 2024
How API-Driven Payment Platforms Revolutionise Financial Transactions

API-driven payment platforms are transforming the financial landscape, offering businesses seamless and efficient ways to process transactions. For SMEs in…

How Cloud-Based Payment Processing Reduces Costs for SMEs
6 Nov, 2024
How Cloud-Based Payment Processing Reduces Costs for SMEs

Cloud-based payment processing is revolutionising the way small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) handle transactions. In Switzerland and across Europe, many…

31 Oct, 2024
The Best Strategy for Any Startup? Stop Being a Startup!

Many startups start strong, driven by innovative ideas and initial funding. However, without finding a stable market or customer base,…

Best Practices for Converting a GmbH into an AG in Switzerland
10 Oct, 2024
Best Practices for Converting a GmbH into an AG in Switzerland

Converting a Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) into an Aktiengesellschaft (AG) is a significant step for businesses looking to enhance…

27 Sep, 2024
How to Close Big B2B Clients and Ensure Your Metrics are Ready

Closing big B2B clients can be a game-changer for your startup, but it’s crucial to ensure your financial metrics are…

18 Sep, 2024
SECO’s Adjusted Swiss GDP Forecast: Strategic Insights for Businesses in 2025

Switzerland’s economic landscape is evolving, and businesses need to be prepared for the changes ahead. SECO’s revised GDP forecast offers…

budgeting
11 Sep, 2024
Master Budgeting: Tips for Business Growth

Yes, it’s that time of the year again. Budgeting is not just about crunching numbers; it’s about setting your business…

4 Sep, 2024
Is Your Business Hanging by a Thread? Here’s How to Get Back on Track with a Solid Financial Plan

Running a business comes with its own set of challenges, and there are times when it can feel like everything…

VAT method
28 Aug, 2024
Choosing Between the Effective Method and the Simplified Method for VAT in Switzerland

Introduction to VAT Methods in Switzerland In Switzerland, VAT-registered companies can choose between two methods for calculating and paying Value…

Swiss VAT system 2024
21 Aug, 2024
Swiss VAT System for Businesses in 2024

As we approach 2024, understanding the updated Swiss Value Added Tax (VAT) system is crucial for businesses operating in Switzerland….

Navigating the path to startup success: Key insights from leading innovators
18 Aug, 2024
Navigating the path to startup success: Key insights from leading innovators

In the exciting world of startups, success comes from more than just a great idea. It’s about how you make…

13 Aug, 2024
Boosting Liquidity: A Strategic Approach to Business Growth

Liquidity is the lifeblood of any business. It ensures that your company can meet its immediate obligations, invest in growth…

VAT
9 Aug, 2024
Cheap and Fast Liquidity: Is Postponing VAT and AHV/AVS a Feasible Path?

In financial planning, maintaining liquidity is essential for smooth business operations. For growing companies, managing liquidity can be particularly challenging…

3 Aug, 2024
Why Outsourcing Your Financial Management Makes a Lot of Sense: One Generalist vs. Expert Team

Outsourcing financial management has become an increasingly popular strategy for businesses seeking to streamline their operations and reduce costs. The…

Why great products need marketing
24 Jul, 2024
Why Even Great Products Need Marketing

As a financial service provider, we often encounter companies that offer exceptional products yet struggle with sales. This phenomenon is…

Successful entrepreneur traits
22 Jul, 2024
Behavioral and psychological traits of successful entrepreneurs in 2024

As a financial service, we work with many successful entrepreneurs. While working with each of them is very interesting, it…

Forecast revenue accurately
16 Jul, 2024
Accurately Forecasting Revenue with the Right KPIs

Accurate revenue forecasting is crucial for any business’s success. By focusing on the right Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and collaborating…

LTC/CAC
16 Jul, 2024
Understanding the LTV to CAC ratio: A key to startup success

Understanding the Customer Lifetime Value (LTV) to Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) ratio is crucial for evaluating your company’s overall performance…

adoption of VC tactics
16 Jul, 2024
Adoption of VC Tactics for SME Business Growth 💡📈

A prevalent misconception among business owners is that startup strategies and mechanics are too unconventional for established businesses to adopt….

16 Jul, 2024
Why I Founded Startupmetrics: My Journey from Venture Capital to Empowering Businesses

My journey in finance has led me from the distinct realm of venture capital to the dynamic world of startups…

16 Jul, 2024
Facts vs. Fiction: How Finance Anchors Our Business Reality

A while ago, we were working with one of our clients, a B2C software company that was gearing up to…

b2c to b2b
16 Jul, 2024
Navigating from B2C to B2B – A Client’s Journey to Success 🚀

We recently guided a client through a transformative journey, pivoting from a B2C to a B2B business model. B2C Challenges:…

customer retention rate
16 Jul, 2024
Customer Retention: The Backbone of Long-Term Business Success

In business strategy, a crucial yet often undervalued aspect is customer retention. But what exactly does this metric reveal and…

Pipeline Velocity
16 Jul, 2024
Pipeline Velocity: Accelerating Sales for Strategic Growth

In today’s fast-paced markets, understanding and optimizing your Pipeline Velocity is more critical than ever. But what exactly does this…

funding
16 Jul, 2024
Ending up in a Down Round Despite Your Best Efforts?

A down round, in which a company secures capital at a valuation lower than prior rounds, presents challenges yet also…

startup valuation
16 Jul, 2024
Navigating Startup Valuation: Strategies for Equity Preservation, Fair Valuation, and Speed 🚀

For startup founders, balancing the act of securing funding at a fair valuation without sacrificing too much equity is challenging….

seed funding struggle
16 Jul, 2024
The Seed Funding Struggle: How to Navigate Investor Pressure

Not long ago, a growing startup on the verge of securing seed funding contacted us. You may wonder why they…

16 Jul, 2024
11 Strategies to Improve Your Liquidity

Liquidity is often overlooked in financial planning despite its importance in maintaining business operations. Managing liquidity can be especially challenging…

metrics
16 Jul, 2024
Turning Metrics into Market Leadership: A Short Guide

Research shows that to scale and become a market leader, a company must excel in four building blocks: strategy, people,…

16 Jul, 2024
How a Booming Revenue Can Still Cause Trouble

A few months ago, we were contacted by a well-known tech startup that had experienced meteoric growth. Their revenue had…

The Pareto Principle, or the 80/20 rule
4 Mar, 2024
Mastering Effectiveness with the Pareto Principle: A Comprehensive Guide

The Pareto Principle, or the 80/20 rule, offers a powerful lens through which we can view task management and efficiency….

four pillars of financial management
20 Feb, 2024
The Four Pillars of Financial Management and Why Bookkeeping Alone Is Not Enough

Understanding and leveraging the core elements of financial management is critical for organizations to not only survive but thrive. When…

Generative AI
16 Feb, 2024
Transforming Startup Finance with Generative AI: An In-depth Guide

In the age of technology, startups that leverage AI in finance don’t just lead; they redefine industry standards. This comprehensive…

cfo
31 Jan, 2024
The Evolving Role of the Startup CFO in 2024: Beyond Financial Management

In 2024, the role of the startup CFO extends far beyond traditional financial management. Today’s CFOs are pivotal in strategic…

seed funding
29 Dec, 2023
The Seed Funding Struggle: How to Navigate Investor Pressure

In the dynamic world of startups, securing seed funding can be both an exhilarating and daunting journey. Not long ago,…

8 Aug, 2023
Selection Criteria & Comparison of the 5 Best Known Accounting Solutions for Swiss Startups in 2024

Running a startup or business in Switzerland requires efficient financial management. To streamline your accounting processes and manage finances, it’s…

1 Aug, 2023
How a CFO Creates Value for Your Company: Driving Growth, Optimising Profits, and Providing Strategic Leadership

In the fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are the driving force behind unlocking profitable growth opportunities,…

18 Jul, 2023
Valuation Trend in European Venture Capital in 2024

The European venture capital (VC) market is navigating significant challenges in 2024 as founders’ demand for funding continues to surpass…

4 Jul, 2023
From Customers to Valuation: How Customer Analysis and Churn Management Impact Startup Valuation

  Unlocking the true potential of customer analysis is the key to driving your startup valuation in today’s fiercely competitive…

17 Mar, 2023
Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy Startupmetrics, a corporation incorporated under the laws of Switzerland and having its registered office at Hirschgartnerweg 35 8057…

Year end closing
7 Mar, 2023
Year-End Closing Deadline Approaching: A Step-by-Step Guide

The year-end closing is a challenging process for the entire accounting department. The accounting team has to put in extended…

17 Feb, 2023
Funding type statistics of ETH & EPFL Spin-offs founded between 2017-2020

Well-funded startups grow faster compared to bootstrapped ones. What type of funding did the ETH and EPFL spin-offs launched between…

17 Feb, 2023
ETH spin-offs receive on average more than twice as much funding as EPFL spin-offs.

An evaluation of ETH and EPFL spin-offs launched between 2017 and 2020 revealed significant differences in the average funding amounts…

pre revenue
17 Feb, 2023
How do you value startups and spin-offs pre-revenue in 2024?

Startup valuation is a critical topic for any founder seeking initial investors. The biggest challenge arises from the fact that…

17 Feb, 2023
Innovation strength measured by spin-offs at ETH and EPFL between 2017-2020

Members of the research institutions at ETH Zurich (ETH) and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) launched 176 spin-offs…

premature scaling
17 Feb, 2023
Prevent premature scaling and grow your business sustainably in 2024

Premature scaling is a critical issue often overlooked in discussions about why startups fail. Various studies indicate that premature scaling…

product market fit
17 Feb, 2023
Find product-market-fit to experience exponential growth in 2024

Your most essential milestone as an early-stage founder is to find product-market fit. Once you achieve this, you will make…

data driven
17 Feb, 2023
Manage and control your startup with foresight under all conditions with a data-driven approach in 2024

Tracking and monitoring the market and performance of your startup gives you the ability to steer and control your business…

winning mentality
17 Feb, 2023
Why is a winning mentality important in 2024?

A team with a winning mentality is more likely to achieve the most ambitious goals. This mindset fosters resilience, motivation,…

business monitoring
15 Feb, 2023
How can business activity monitoring and controlling help you to get funded fairly in 2024?

According to management studies, business activity monitoring and controlling significantly increase a startup’s chances of obtaining fair financing. But how…

business monitoring
15 Feb, 2023
Achieve your business objectives more likely with business activity monitoring & controlling in 2024

In today’s fast-paced business environment, achieving your business objectives requires more than just a solid plan. Systematically implementing your business…

business monitoring
15 Feb, 2023
How does business activity monitoring and controlling assist you in achieving your revenue targets?

Revenue is the main value driver of any early-stage startup. Achieving your revenue targets is crucial for stakeholders, including investors…

15 Feb, 2023
Pre-money valuation of ETH and EPFL spin-offs founded between 2017-2020

Valuing pre-revenue start-ups, especially those spun off from top universities, involves analysing a specific data set with comparable transactions. Differences…

startup valuation
15 Feb, 2023
The magic behind startup valuation in 2024

Determining the fair startup valuation  is a critical and complex process. While many practitioners argue that startup valuation is more…

interim cfo
15 Feb, 2023
Should your startup hire an interim CFO over a full-time CFO in 2024?

Every startup or spin-off may consider hiring a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to manage the financials and present relevant metrics…

startup cfo
15 Feb, 2023
What does a startup CFO do? And what are a startup’s CFO’s responsibilities in 2024?

Startups and spin-offs often face challenges in managing financials and presenting a coherent vision, strategy, and business plan to investors,…

fundraising
15 Feb, 2023
How founders raise startup fundraising successfully in 2024

Founders are exponentially talented in their respective fields. They either have dedicated industry knowledge or a strong technical background to…

15 Feb, 2023
How did covid affect the funding amount of seed startups and spin-offs in Switzerland?

Positive Trends Amidst Challenges Overview Despite the global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, seed startups and spin-offs in Switzerland…

13 Feb, 2023
How do Swiss startups perform? Fastest growing European startups sorted by country

The table above shows the median compound annual growth rate of top performing startups based in European countries. Sorted in…

business strategy
13 Feb, 2023
How to refine your business strategy in four steps in 2024?

A business strategy is a comprehensive plan detailing how a company sets out to achieve its goals. Ideally, it clearly…

timely accounting
13 Feb, 2023
Benefits of timely accounting in 2024

In the early stages of business, while many understand the necessity of accounting, managing it promptly is often neglected. Delays…

Lead velocity rate
13 Feb, 2023
Predicting Future Revenues with Lead Velocity Rate (LVR)

In the fast-paced world of startups, accurately predicting future revenues is a common challenge for executives and investors. Given that…

9 Feb, 2023
Understanding Your Financial Statements

Financial statements are essential tools that provide a comprehensive overview of your company’s performance, financial health, and ability to generate…

Average sales cycle
9 Feb, 2023
Understanding and Optimizing Average Sales Cycle

Another relevant metric to better predict and forecast your startup’s revenue is the average sales cycle. This metric measures the…

8 Feb, 2023
Understanding and Optimizing Lead Conversion Rate

The lead conversion rate is a valuable metric that tells you how many potential customers you need to connect with…

cloud based documentation
8 Feb, 2023
Cloud-based documentation for accounting-why & how?

Growing digitization demands the need to ensure the integrity of documents and accounting records throughout their life cycle. This raises…

annual contract value
8 Feb, 2023
Annual contract value

Annual contract value (ACV), or annual income per customer, is a crucial metric for predicting revenue and understanding the scalability…

CPL
8 Feb, 2023
Increase the Scalability of Your Business by Assessing Your Cost Per Lead (CPL)

Since every customer starts as a lead, the number of leads you can generate in a given period and how…

swiss national day
8 Feb, 2023
Swiss National Day

The Swiss celebrate their bank holidays on 1 August because of events that took place in the years around 1291….

8 Feb, 2023
How customer acquisition cost (CAC) metric is related to scalability

The cost of acquiring a new customer, referred to as customer acquisition cost (CAC), is a crucial metric for evaluating…

LTC/CAC
8 Feb, 2023
How customer lifetime value to customer acquisition costs (CLV:CAC) ratio is related to scalability and profitability

The customer lifetime value to customer acquisition cost (CLV) ratio is a crucial metric for assessing the scalability and profitability…

customer retention rate
8 Feb, 2023
How improving customer retention rate (crr) impacts your business

Customer retention rate (CRR) measures the ability of a company to regularly serve its existing customers in exchange for money….

accounting
8 Feb, 2023
R&D – Accounting & tax benefit in Switzerland

This blog summarises the accounting and tax rules applicable for companies engaged in R&D activities in Switzerland. Understanding these rules…

business monitoring
26 Jan, 2023
How does business monitoring and controlling system support you in selecting the right opportunities?

In the dynamic world of startups, resources such as capital and manpower are often limited. Hence, it is essential to…

business monitoring
26 Jan, 2023
How do startups benefit from business monitoring & controlling system in 2024?

Economic research reveals that business monitoring and controlling systems have a positive impact on the growth of startups. Implementing these…

23 Jan, 2023
Track SMART KPIs that support your main objectives

In today’s fast-paced business environment, setting the right incentives in your organization by tracking and benchmarking SMART Key Performance Indicators…

13 Feb, 2022
Time management tips from successful founders

Managing time is one of the most critical skills for a startup founder. Every second you invest and save can…