Start-up costs

Most new businesses underestimate what it actually costs to open the doors. This calculator adds up the common categories in one place, so you have a realistic total to plan or budget against before you start spending.

It can help you answer questions like:

• How much money do I actually need to get started?
• Have I forgotten to budget for something important?
• Do I need to raise or save more before I launch?

What you’ll need to enter:

• Equipment — tools, machinery, computers, fit-out. (Example: $5,000.)
• Inventory — stock you need on hand before you can start selling. (Example: $8,000.)
• Licensing & registration — business registration, licences, insurance set-up. (Example: $1,500.)
• Marketing & branding — logo, website, launch promotion. (Example: $3,000.)
• Working capital — cash set aside to cover day-to-day costs like rent, wages and stock while the business is still building up its own income. Most advisors suggest budgeting at least 3-6 months of running costs here. (Example: $10,000.)
• Other costs — anything else specific to your business. (Example: $2,000.)

How it works
We simply add up every category you enter into one total.

What the result tells you
With the example numbers, launching would cost around $29,500 in total — a realistic figure to plan, save, or raise funding against, rather than being caught short partway through setting up.

A few things worth doing before you finalise this number:

1. Get real quotes, not guesses. Actual quotes for equipment, fit-out or licensing are usually higher than a rough guess — building this in early avoids a nasty surprise later.
2. Don’t skimp on working capital. Most new businesses take longer than expected to become profitable — underestimating working capital is one of the most common reasons new businesses run into trouble early.
3. Add a buffer. Consider adding 10-15% on top of your total for the unexpected costs that always seem to come up.
4. Revisit it as plans firm up. Update each category as you get real quotes, so your funding or savings target stays accurate right up to launch.

In short: knowing this number early means fewer surprises and a much smoother launch.