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What is LTV (Lifetime Value)?

Definition

LTV(Lifetime Value)

LTV (Lifetime Value) is the total net revenue a startup expects to earn from a single customer over the entire duration of their relationship.

Why It Matters for Startups

Serves as a vital financial metric for unit economics and investor reporting; tracking LTV helps founders manage cash runway and growth efficiency during customer value projections and saas financial audits.

Detailed Deep Dive

LTV (Lifetime Value) is the total net revenue a startup expects to earn from a single customer over the entire duration of their relationship. In subscription models (SaaS), it is calculated by dividing the average revenue per account (ARPU) by the customer churn rate. LTV helps founders determine how much they can afford to spend on acquiring new customers while remaining profitable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q:How is LTV calculated in SaaS?

LTV = Average Revenue Per Account (ARPU) / Customer Churn Rate.

Q:How can a startup increase its LTV?

By lowering churn, increasing pricing, cross-selling additional products, and extending contract lengths.

Quick Facts

  • CategoryMetrics
  • Key ApplicationCustomer value projections and SaaS financial audits

Coverage Trend12 Weeks

12w agoToday

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Cite This Term

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[LTV | SPIDITS Glossary](https://spidits.com/startup-glossary/ltv)

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