Running a startup is all about alignment, focus, and execution.
OKRs provide a structured way to set clear, measurable goals that drive real progress, whether you’re an early-stage startup trying to gain traction or a scaling company optimizing operations.
But how do you actually write OKRs that make sense for your startup?
In this practical guide, we share 32 OKR examples, categorized by startup stage and key business function - so you can set the right objectives for where you are today.
Early-Stage Startup OKRs (Pre-Product-Market Fit)
At this stage, your startup is focused on validating your product, acquiring initial users, and proving value. Your OKRs should reflect traction, user adoption, and early revenue milestones.
Product Development (MVP)
Objective: Build a successful MVP that attracts early users.
- KR: Gain 100 weekly active users to validate early traction.
- KR: Achieve an NPS score of 40+ from initial testers.
- KR: Secure 5 paying customers to confirm willingness to pay.
Product-Market Fit (PMF)
Objective: Achieve strong product-market fit.
- KR: Score 40%+ on the Product-Market Fit survey (users who’d be “very disappointed” if the product disappeared).
- KR: Increase 4-month user retention from 10% to 45%.
- KR: Grow weekly inbound leads from 25 to 100 to demonstrate demand.
Marketing (Launch)
Objective: Generate buzz and anticipation for launch.
- KR: Secure 10 press features in relevant publications.
- KR: Partner with 5 influencers for social promotion.
- KR: Build an email waitlist of 1,000+ subscribers before launch.
Sales (Initial Revenue)
Objective: Generate early revenue traction.
- KR: Reach $200K ARR from first paying customers.
- KR: Maintain 25% month-over-month growth in sales leads.
- KR: Convert 20% of trial users into paid customers.
Customer Success (Retention)
Objective: Deliver outstanding customer experience.
- KR: Maintain an average CSAT score above 4.5/5.
- KR: Reduce average response time to under 3 hours.
- KR: Limit negative social media mentions to <5 per month.
Operations (Efficiency)
Objective: Establish a lean and efficient operation.
- KR: Keep burn rate within safe limits to preserve runway.
- KR: Reduce operational inefficiencies by 20% within the first year.
- KR: Implement cost-saving initiatives in 60% of operations in 6 months.
Fundraising (Seed Round)
Objective: Secure early-stage funding.
- KR: Pitch to 50+ investors to build a pipeline.
- KR: Raise $1M in seed capital in 6 months.
- KR: Maintain a burn rate aligned with investor expectations.
Recommend reading: Why Startups That Use OKRs Raise Funding Faster
Growth-Stage Startup OKRs (Scaling Beyond Early Traction)
Once you’ve validated your startup, the next step is scaling revenue, expanding your customer base, and optimizing your business processes.
Product Growth
Objective: Successfully launch a new product feature.
- KR: Achieve a >2% conversion rate on new feature sign-ups.
- KR: Convert 25% of free trial users into paying customers.
Product Quality
Objective: Improve product reliability and customer satisfaction.
- KR: Reduce product defects by 30% in six months.
- KR: Resolve 80% of customer-reported issues within 48 hours.
Marketing (Growth)
Objective: Increase brand awareness and lead generation.
- KR: Reach 1 million target customers through a campaign.
- KR: Improve lead acquisition rate by 15% quarter-over-quarter.
- KR: Generate 800+ sign-ups per week (up from 200).
Sales (Revenue)
Objective: Achieve aggressive revenue growth.
- KR: Increase MRR from $100K to $280K.
- KR: Improve annual subscription renewal rates by 20%.
Customer Advocacy
Objective: Turn happy customers into brand advocates.
- KR: Collect 100+ G2 and Capterra reviews.
- KR: Publish 10 customer success stories.
Operations (Cost Control)
Objective: Improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary costs.
- KR: Cut operational costs by 10% in the next quarter.
- KR: Automate 20% of manual processes.
Fundraising (Series A)
Objective: Secure Series A funding.
- KR: Raise $4M+ in Series A investment.
- KR: Sustain 40%+ quarterly revenue growth to attract investors.
Read this next: Do OKRs Help Startups Reach $1 Million ARR Faster?
Scaling-Stage Startup OKRs (Hypergrowth & Expansion)
For startups that have product-market fit and are scaling rapidly, OKRs focus on global expansion, operational excellence, and long-term sustainability.
Product Innovation
Objective: Keep innovating ahead of competitors.
- KR: Launch 2 major new features that differentiate the product.
- KR: Increase R&D initiatives by 15%.
Product Reliability
Objective: Ensure top-tier performance and system uptime.
- KR: Maintain 99.9% system uptime.
- KR: Reduce system downtime from 5% to 1%.
Marketing (Global Expansion)
Objective: Expand into new international markets.
- KR: Close 30 partnership deals in a new region.
- KR: Generate $2M in quarterly revenue from new markets.
Sales (Enterprise Growth)
Objective: Win large-scale enterprise deals.
- KR: Secure 10+ new enterprise customers.
- KR: Add $500K in new ARR from enterprise deals.
Customer Experience
Objective: Provide world-class onboarding and support.
- KR: Reduce average onboarding time from 20 min to 5 min.
- KR: Improve customer satisfaction rating to 90%+.
Operations (Leadership & Culture)
Objective: Build a strong leadership team and company culture.
- KR: Hire a Chief Revenue Officer to own growth strategy.
- KR: Achieve 100% completion rate of leadership training.
Financial Health
Objective: Improve financial stability and sustainability.
- KR: Reduce burn rate to break even.
- KR: Grow MRR from $500K to $1M.
Fundraising (Series B)
Objective: Secure Series B growth funding.
- KR: Maintain 3x year-over-year revenue growth.
- KR: Secure one term sheet from a top Series B investor.
Up next: 10 Best OKR Software for Startups in 2025
Conclusion
The data is clear:
OKRs are a growth engine.
When implemented effectively, they help startups stay focused, aligned, and motivated while driving measurable progress toward ambitious milestones.
But success with OKRs isn’t just about setting goals - it’s about setting the right goals.
Startups that get the most value from OKRs follow a few key principles:
- Keep objectives clear and ambitious to inspire action without causing confusion.
- Make key results measurable so progress is tangible and decisions are data-driven.
- Track progress regularly and iterate as needed to stay agile and adapt to challenges.
The right OKRs don’t just help you grow; they help you grow smarter.
Create Your Own Startup OKR with AI
Setting the right OKRs can be challenging, but AI makes it easier.
With OKRs Tool, you can generate tailored objectives and key results in seconds - aligned with your startup’s goals, team priorities, and growth stage. No guesswork, just actionable, data-driven OKRs.
