Finance leads in VC firms often juggle fragmented reports, incomplete metrics and inconsistent updates from portfolio companies. Over time, we’ve noticed that the most efficient teams share one thing in common: a smart KPI setup that keeps reporting focused and truly useful.

That’s what inspired us to write our latest guide on how to set KPIs for VC portfolio monitoring. It’s a practical look at building a reporting framework that supports decisions rather than just ticking boxes.

Asking for too many KPIs can create friction. Founders spend valuable time on data requests that rarely lead to insights. Analysts are left cleaning spreadsheets instead of analyzing trends. And finance heads still find themselves answering urgent questions with unreliable numbers. The most effective approach we’ve seen? Focusing on the top VC portfolio KPIs to track, typically no more than 10 to 15 per company.

These aren’t just vanity metrics.

They include the essential KPIs for VC portfolios that help teams benchmark performance and assess risk without drowning in complexity. When every portfolio company reports on the same baseline of financial metrics, comparisons become meaningful, and gaps are easier to spot.

Start with core metrics like:

• Revenue: Still the best indicator of traction
• EBITDA: A proxy for profitability
• Cash Burn and Runway: Critical for risk monitoring
• Headcount and FTEs: Useful for cost modeling and scaling signals
• Gross Margin: Reflects capital efficiency and pricing health

But core metrics alone don’t tell the full story. That’s where tailoring by stage and sector comes in. Early-stage SaaS companies might need CAC and activation rates, while a later-stage fintech player could focus on AUM and MRR. For cleantech, metrics like LCOE and capacity factor become central. In our guide, we break down VC portfolio metrics by sector, pulling from real data shared by clients across industries.

This approach also matters when it comes to ESG KPIs. With EU regulations pushing for clearer reporting on sustainability and social impact, many VC teams are starting to layer in ESG metrics. These can vary depending on the company’s business model and market.

Download the full guide

Tracking the right data is about making reporting useful. That’s why our guide also covers how to build a reporting rhythm that works for the VC – portfolio companies relationship. We also talk about risk signals and how to surface the right insights at the right time, so you’re not just looking backward but actively steering the portfolio forward.

If your team is spending too much time gathering data and not enough time using it, this guide will help. It includes practical advice and examples of how to structure KPIs for different types of companies, so you can stop guessing and start tracking what matters.