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Metrics investors ask for

ARR

Annual recurring revenue: the annualised value of contracted, recurring subscription revenue.

Why it matters

The headline number for most software companies. Inflating it by including one-off services, pilots or non-contracted revenue is the fastest way to lose a deal, because diligence will find it.

A worked example

Twelve customers on $2,000 per month contracts is $24,000 MRR and $288,000 ARR. A one-off $50,000 implementation fee is not part of ARR.

What is typical

Expect to be asked for the split between new, expansion, contraction and churned ARR, not just the total.

Related terms

Net revenue retention

Revenue from your existing customer base this period versus the same cohort last period, including expansion, contraction and churn.

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Burn multiple

Net cash burned divided by net new ARR added over the same period.

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Run your raise on this

VCTerminal models these terms on your real cap table, so you can see what a term sheet pays you before you sign it.

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