How long is the runway?

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24 months

Theo's forecast: Shard Garden has US$1,800,000, spends US$300,000 a month and earns US$200,000: 18 months of runway. The board asks for at least 24, without cutting a team.

Try it

How long is the runway?

Pick the plan that reaches 24 months.

Try it in the lesson

Quick check

Theo saves US$25,000 a month. Why does that add 6 months?

  1. Burn drops to 75,000, and 1,800,000 ÷ 75,000 = 24
  2. The bank adds interest
  3. It adds 25,000 to the bank
Show the answer

Burn drops to 75,000, and 1,800,000 ÷ 75,000 = 24

A smaller burn makes the same money last longer.

Earning counts too

Earning US$25,000 more a month lowers the burn as much as spending less. But earning is a forecast, while saving is in the studio's hands.

Do the math

new plan
bank        1,800,000burn/month     60,000

How long is the runway now?

  1. 30 months
  2. 20 months
  3. 3 months
Show the answer

30 months

1,800,000 ÷ 60,000 = 30.

Check it monthly

Runway moves every month as spending and income change. Shard Garden works it out again with each forecast, and the board sees both.

Quick check

Runway only needs working out once, when the studio raises money.

Show the answer

False

Spending and income change every month, so the runway does too.

On the studio board

The studio adds a decision to the board:

Runway, and whether the studio is default alive, open every board meeting. Fundraising starts with 12 months left.

Bolt says: Next: tax credits for games.

Fact-checked 12 October 2026