Know the real startup cost
Capture deposits, equipment, stock, licences, marketing and the smaller setup costs that are easy to miss.
Free business template
Startup Cost
Template
Opening the doors is only the first cash test.
Know what it takes to launch, what it will take to keep operating and whether your funding is enough. Use this free Startup Cost Template to bring setup costs, launch costs, working capital and contingency into one clear view.
Free to use. No sign up required.
Startup Cost Template
Your Business Name · Currency: KES
| Startup Cost | Setup | Launch | Monthly | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premises & deposits | 60,000 | — | — | 60,000 |
| Equipment & furniture | 150,000 | — | — | 150,000 |
| Opening stock | 120,000 | — | — | 120,000 |
| Registration & permits | 15,000 | — | — | 15,000 |
| Launch marketing | — | 30,000 | — | 30,000 |
| Working capital | — | — | 150,000 | 150,000 |
| Contingency | — | — | 30,000 | 30,000 |
| Total Startup Requirement | 345,000 | 30,000 | 180,000 | 555,000 |
| Available Funding | 480,000 | — | — | 480,000 |
| Funding Gap | — | — | — | 75,000 |
Separate one-time and ongoing
See what you pay once and what will still be waiting for the business next month.
See the funding gap
Compare the capital you have with what the business actually needs before you commit too early.
Build in breathing room
Add working capital and contingency so one surprise does not wipe out the cash needed to operate.
Protect your opening cash
Know whether you can afford the launch without leaving the new business starved of operating money.
Know how much money the business needs before the money starts disappearing.
Your startup budget should cover more than what you plan to buy. It should show what it takes to open, what it takes to keep operating and whether your funding is enough.
Registration, licences and permits
Opening inventory or raw materials
Rent deposits and premises setup
Packaging and supplies
Equipment, tools and furniture
Branding, website and launch marketing
Software and professional fees
Working capital requirement
One-time vs recurring expenses
Contingency allowance
Estimated vs actual startup costs
Funding surplus or funding gap
Choose one format that works for you.
Google SheetsUse it online
Update your startup budget as quotes, prices and plans change, then access it from any device or share it with a partner.
We’ll add the live Google Sheets link when it is shared.Microsoft ExcelDownload the spreadsheet
Prefer working from your computer? Download the Excel version and build your startup budget offline.
We’ll add the Excel file when it is shared.Step by step
Build the business on numbers before you build it with money.
The goal is not a perfect estimate. It is to expose the costs you may otherwise discover after your cash is already committed.
List your startup costs
Add everything you need before opening: stock, equipment, rent, permits, technology and marketing.
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rent Deposit | 60,000 |
| Equipment | 150,000 |
| Opening Stock | 120,000 |
Do not ignore deposits, installation fees and the small setup costs that add up fast.
Separate one-time and monthly costs
Mark what you pay once and what you will keep paying after opening.
| Cost Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Equipment | One-time |
| Rent | Monthly |
| Software | Monthly |
You may have enough to open but not enough to cover the next few months.
Add money for after opening
Keep cash for rent, wages and other normal costs while sales grow. Add extra money for costs that may go over budget.
| Buffer Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Working Capital | 150,000 |
| Contingency | 30,000 |
| Total Buffer | 180,000 |
Keep cash for the months after opening.
Compare your costs with your funding
Add savings, partner money, investor money, loans and other funding. Then check if you have enough or still need more.
| Funding Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Startup Requirement | 555,000 |
| Available Funding | 480,000 |
| Funding Gap | 75,000 |
Find any shortfall before you open, while there is still time to fix it.
Useful for
Make launch decisions with the full cash requirement in view.
New businesses
Estimate the money required before a new shop, service or online business opens.
Second locations
Treat a new branch, warehouse or office as its own investment with its own funding requirement.
Funding conversations
Show partners, lenders or investors what the launch needs and where the gap sits.
Launch decisions
Compare different setup choices before equipment, rent or stock commitments become expensive to reverse.
How to read the number
Enough money to open is not the same as enough money to operate.
Startup costs are only part of the answer. A business may need registration, deposits, equipment, opening inventory and marketing before launch, then still need cash for rent, salaries, utilities, software and other operating expenses while sales are building.
How much cash does this business really need before it can stand on its own?
That is why a startup budget that only calculates what it costs to open can produce a dangerously low number.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Is this Startup Cost Template free?
Yes. The Belvara Startup Cost Template is free to use. You can work with the Google Sheets version online or download the Excel version.
What should I include in startup costs?
Include any cost required to get the business ready to operate. This may include registration, permits, deposits, renovations, equipment, inventory, packaging, marketing, software, professional fees, insurance, recruitment and working capital.
Should I include monthly expenses?
Yes. Separate recurring expenses from one-time setup costs so you can see what it costs to open the business and what it will cost to keep operating while revenue is still building.
What is working capital?
Working capital is money available to support day-to-day operations. For a new business, it can cover expenses such as rent, salaries, stock and utilities before incoming sales are strong enough to fund the operation.
How much contingency should I include?
There is no single percentage that fits every business. Your contingency should reflect how uncertain your estimates are and how easily costs could change. The key is not to assume every expense will land exactly on budget.
What is the difference between estimated and actual costs?
Estimated costs are what you expect to spend before making the purchase. Actual costs are what you eventually pay. Tracking both shows where the startup budget is increasing or decreasing and helps you protect the remaining capital.
Can I use this for a second location?
Yes. The same framework can help estimate the capital needed for a second shop, warehouse, office, branch or other expansion. Treat the new location as its own investment and include both opening costs and the cash needed to support it after launch.
What if I already have some equipment or stock?
Only include the additional cash you still need to spend, but keep a note of assets you already own so you understand what resources are going into the business. Do not count an item as a new cash cost if it has already been paid for.