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Extending Runway Without Killing Growth: A Smart Spend Guide

Practical tips on cost optimization that preserve momentum while making every dollar count in uncertain times.

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Sarah Okonkwo

Partner, Smart Spend

November 22, 20249 min read

The Runway Reality Check

In uncertain economic times, extending runway becomes critical. But here's the trap many founders fall into: cutting costs in ways that kill the very growth they need to survive.

The Smart Spend Framework

Organize expenses into three buckets: Growth spend (directly drives revenue), Operational spend (keeps the lights on), and Nice-to-have spend (everything else).

Tags:runwaycost optimizationoperational efficiencyburn ratecash management
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Written by

Sarah Okonkwo

Partner, Smart Spend

Helping founders build and scale their ventures at Lume Network. Passionate about startups, growth, and building great products.