When founders hear “investor metrics,” they often think of complex SaaS dashboards full of acronyms — CAC, LTV, churn, MRR. But here’s the truth: most early-stage investors don’t expect all of those. What they do want is a clear financial story, backed by a few key numbers that prove your business is investable.

This guide breaks down the metrics that matter for small businesses and early-stage startups (the ones you must include), and the “nice-to-haves” that only apply if you’re building a high-growth tech venture.