Default Alive Calculator
Default alive calculator — are you default alive or default dead?
Use Paul Graham’s default alive framework with your cash, burn, and growth to see if you reach breakeven before zero cash.
Formula: Default alive if projected path reaches profit before cash hits zero
What default alive means
Paul Graham described startups as default alive when, on their current trajectory, they become profitable before the money runs out. Default dead means you need a raise or a sharp plan change to survive.
Why founders miss it
MRR growth can look healthy while cash still runs out. Default alive forces you to connect growth, burn, and cash into one survival verdict — not three disconnected dashboards.
How Monter Pulse decides
Monter Pulse simulates cash over time using your SaaS inputs and labels the company default alive or default dead, then ranks actions that move you toward alive.
FAQ
Is default alive the same as profitable today?
No. You can still burn cash today and be default alive if the path to breakeven clearly happens before cash zero.
What if I am default dead?
Cut non-essential burn, accelerate revenue, raise earlier, or change the plan. Monter Pulse ranks which levers buy the most months.
Do investors ask about this?
Sophisticated angels and seed funds often ask the question even if they do not use the phrase. Being able to answer builds trust.