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Is Your Startup Burning Cash Too Fast? 3 Red Flags To Watch

Chan Qi Yang, Co-Founder, FinKnight | Chang Lih Yen, Co-Founder, FinKnight

23-Jun-25 11:00

Is Your Startup Burning Cash Too Fast? 3 Red Flags To Watch

Most startups don't fail because of a bad product; they fail because they run out of money. In a tough funding climate, maximising cash flow, and optimising burn rate and runway is no longer optional, it's essential for survival. So, how can founders balance the need for growth with disciplined financial management?

Chan Qi Yang and Chang Lih Yen, co-founders of the financial advisory firm FinKnight, join us to share a practical playbook for early-stage startups. They demystify critical concepts like core burn rate, cash conversion cycles, and flux analysis to help founders gain control over their numbers.

We discuss:

  • The critical difference between being profitable and being cash-flow positive.

  • How to properly calculate and manage your core burn rate.

  • Key strategies for optimising your cash conversion cycle ("money in fast, money out slow").

  • How to balance growth spending with cost control by treating every dollar as a test.

  • Common financial mistakes and how early-stage founders can avoid them.

For founders and entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of scaling, this conversation has crucial lessons in financial discipline and strategic cash management.

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


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Categories:  CorporatesmanagingentrepreneursSMEinvestmentsfinancial wellness

Tags:  burn ratestartup financecash flow managementfundraising





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