Revenue run rate is an annualized revenue estimate based on current period performance, calculated by multiplying the most recent month revenue by 12 (or latest quarter by 4). It provides a forward-looking annual revenue figure for companies without a full year of history. Run rate differs from ARR in that it can include non-recurring revenue, making it potentially misleading if one-time items are included.
Run rate provides a forward-looking annual revenue estimate based on current performance. Useful when you do not have a full year of data.
Commonly used by early-stage companies to frame their revenue at an annual scale: "$50k MRR, $600k run rate."
ARR is based on committed recurring revenue (subscriptions). Run rate can include one-time revenue, making it potentially misleading.
If your revenue is purely recurring, run rate and ARR are the same. If you have significant one-time components, ARR is the cleaner metric.
March MRR: $85k. Revenue run rate: $85k x 12 = $1.02M.
Q1 total revenue: $240k (includes $15k in one-time services). Run rate: $240k x 4 = $960k. But ARR (recurring only): ($240k - $15k) x 4 = $900k.
Using your best month to calculate run rate. Use a trailing average if revenue is volatile.
Including one-time revenue in run rate and calling it ARR. Investors will catch this.
Projecting run rate as if growth is guaranteed. Run rate assumes current performance continues, nothing more.
Traction slide: lead with ARR if purely recurring. Use run rate only when ARR is not applicable.
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