A complete Pre-Seed financial model for Deep Tech startups. Revenue model, unit economics, hiring plan, cash flow projections, and funding scenarios — structured for investor review.
Projection Horizon
18 months
Model Tabs
5 core tabs
Format
Excel + Google Sheets
Cash runway, burn rate, and the key milestones that unlock your next round. Pre-seed investors focus on whether you have enough runway to prove the thesis.
Deep tech models need a TRL-gated financial model. Revenue assumptions should only start after TRL 6 (system demonstrated in relevant environment). Investors are experienced at seeing commercial revenue modeled too early in the TRL progression.
Government grant and milestone funding model in early stages, transitioning to commercial revenue post-TRL 6. Include a funding bridge showing how grants cover capital expenses before commercial revenue.
Build every assumption from first principles. Pre-seed investors will ask "how did you get to this number?" for every major line. Have a clear answer that ties back to market research or comparable benchmarks.
Model two scenarios: (1) raising your target amount, (2) raising 70% of target. Show what milestones you hit in each case and when you need to start the next raise.
A Pre-Seed Deep Tech financial model should cover 18 months of projections with these tabs: Assumptions Dashboard, Revenue Model (monthly), Headcount Plan, Cash Flow Forecast, Runway Sensitivity. Cash runway, burn rate, and the key milestones that unlock your next round. Pre-seed investors focus on whether you have enough runway to prove the thesis.
Government grant and milestone funding model in early stages, transitioning to commercial revenue post-TRL 6. Include a funding bridge showing how grants cover capital expenses before commercial revenue. The key revenue drivers are: SBIR Phase I, II, III grant awards; DoD or government contract revenue; Strategic partner development contracts; Early commercial customer revenue (post-TRL 6).
Deep Tech unit economics at the Pre-Seed stage should include: Cost per prototype unit vs. target production unit cost; COGS reduction curve from R&D to manufacturing scale; Gross margin at 1,000 unit scale vs. 100,000 unit scale; Break-even volume at target production cost. Deep tech models need a TRL-gated financial model. Revenue assumptions should only start after TRL 6 (system demonstrated in relevant environment). Investors are experienced at seeing commercial revenue modeled too early in the TRL progression.
Build every assumption from first principles. Pre-seed investors will ask "how did you get to this number?" for every major line. Have a clear answer that ties back to market research or comparable benchmarks. Start with the smallest unit of your business (one customer, one transaction, one seat) and build up from there. Every assumption should have a source or benchmark you can defend in an investor meeting.
Model two scenarios: (1) raising your target amount, (2) raising 70% of target. Show what milestones you hit in each case and when you need to start the next raise.
Get the Deep Tech Pre-Seed financial model as a pre-built Excel and Google Sheets template. Assumptions dashboard, revenue model, unit economics, and cash flow — ready to customize.
Includes Excel file, Google Sheets version, and model documentation guide