Securing investment is a huge milestone. But now the real work begins: aligning your activities with the goals investors expect you to hit and the ones your business truly needs.
Step 1: Understand the Dual Focus
- Investor Goals: Growth, traction, next raise readiness, key hires
- Business Needs: Operational stability, product development, team cohesion and growth
Your strategic plan must blend both. Investors want momentum. You need sustainability.
Step 2: Build a Runway Plan
Use your cash runway to map out key activities across the next 6–18 months.
Runway Planning Framework:
| Timeframe | Focus Area | Key Activities | Milestones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1–3 | Foundation | Team alignment, OKRs, onboarding | Internal clarity |
| Month 4–6 | Traction | Product launch, marketing push | First revenue |
| Month 7–9 | Growth | Partnerships, scaling ops | Market validation |
| Month 10–12 | Prep | Investor updates, next raise prep | Ready for Series A |
Step 3: Use 90-Day Planning Cycles
Break the runway into quarterly sprints:
- Define 1–3 strategic goals per cycle
- Align teams with OKRs
- Review progress monthly, adjust quarterly
Step 4: Align Strategy with Milestones
Plan around inflection points:
- Product releases
- Revenue thresholds
- Key hires
- Market entry moments
These are what investors track and what drive valuation.
Your runway is your opportunity to prove your strategy works. Plan it with precision, align your team, and stay focused on the milestones that matter.
