As your startup enters the growth phase, tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) becomes essential. KPIs help you measure progress, spot roadblocks early, and make informed, data-driven decisions. This is also the right time to track and analyze both financial and impact KPIs to learn from them and adjust your strategy – always keeping maximum impact in sight.
This section is for you if …
- your operational model is mature and proven.
- you’ve proven that your strategy works.
- you have sufficient financial and human resources.
- your organization is ready for change and growth.
- the scaling supports your mission and the broader systemic change you’re working toward.
Not quite there yet?
Check out the section that fits your current stage
In this section, you’ll learn how to …
- develop measurable KPIs for your startup.
- set your startup up for sustainable growth and long-term impact.
Track your KPIs step by step
To manage your impact effectively, you need clear, measurable KPIs – and a solid system to track them. Here’s how to get started:
1. Set up tracking tools
Start by choosing the right tools to collect your data – surveys, databases, or analytics tools, for example. These should integrate smoothly into your existing processes to keep data collection as efficient as possible.
To track your KPIs, you can combine both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative methods include simple counts – like the number of products sold or people reached – and measurable outcomes, such as CO₂ savings or participation in specific activities. You can also use structured observations to systematically document certain processes or behaviors.
Qualitative methods give you deeper insight into how your target group thinks and feels. These might include semi-structured or open interviews that capture individual perspectives and feedback, or before-and-after surveys to measure changes in behavior or knowledge. Analyzing documents – like reports or feedback forms – can also reveal valuable patterns and insights.
2. Track your KPIs across the Impact Ladder
Your KPIs should reflect different levels of impact – from immediate outputs to long-term societal change. This helps you capture both short-term wins and your broader mission. Here are examples of KPIs at each level of the impact ladder:
| Step 1 — Activities take place as planned | Number of workshops/services delivered |
| Step 2 — Target groups are reached | Number of workshops held, users who accessed your solution, or people reached within your defined target group |
| Step 3 - Target groups accept the offering | Key figures such as sales, profit margins, growth rates or market share; user satisfaction scores like Net Promoter Score (NPS) or Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT) |
| Step 4 — Target group gains awareness or skills | Survey results showing increases in knowledge |
| Step 5 — Target group changes behavior | Percentage of users who have made lasting changes in behavior |
| Step 6 — Target group’s living conditions improve | Measured improvements in income, well-being, or other quality-of-life indicators as a result of your solution |
| Step 7 — Broader societal change | System-level impact, such as reduced CO₂ emissions, long-term improvements in regional quality-of-life scores, policy changes, or measurable contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) |
You’ll find more sample indicators here.
Tip: Revisit your KPIs regularly and update them as your startup evolves or new challenges emerge.
Next step: Track your KPIs
By tracking your KPIs, you’ve taken another important step toward ensuring the sustainable growth and impact of your startup.
In the next chapter, we’ll take a closer look at your KPIs and collected data to make informed decisions and shape effective strategies.