{
  "version": "1.17.0",
  "releasedAt": "2026-10-14",
  "kpi": {
    "rogueId": "sales.ltv_cac_ratio",
    "slug": "ltv_cac_ratio",
    "domain": "sales",
    "defaultLabel": "LTV/CAC",
    "description": "Customer lifetime value divided by the fully-loaded cost to acquire that customer (LTV / CAC), expressed as a multiple (e.g. 3.0 = 3:1). The headline unit-economics ratio: how many dollars of lifetime gross profit each acquisition dollar returns. Report the same LTV and CAC definitions published as `sales.ltv` and `sales.cac`. Common pitfall: a ratio quoted without its LTV/CAC definitions, or one that does not reconcile with the reported LTV and CAC.",
    "fieldType": "number",
    "unit": null,
    "maturity": "general",
    "suggestedForStages": [
      "seriesA",
      "seriesB",
      "seriesC",
      "public"
    ],
    "defaultOwningFunctions": [
      "Sales",
      "Finance"
    ],
    "stageRelevance": {
      "seriesA": "recommended",
      "seriesB": "recommended",
      "seriesC": "recommended",
      "public": "recommended"
    },
    "definitionSource": {
      "tier": "editorial",
      "sourceName": "imboard Editorial",
      "sourceUrl": null,
      "sectionRef": null,
      "publicationDate": "2026-04-01",
      "attributionNotice": null,
      "authorityLevel": "imboard-editorial"
    },
    "formula": "LTV/CAC = LTV / CAC, using the same period and definitions as `sales.ltv` and `sales.cac`. Expressed as a multiple (3.0 = 3:1).",
    "whyItMatters": "The single number boards use to judge whether growth spend is creating value; below the stage norm, scaling S&M burns cash faster than it builds value.",
    "interpretationGuidance": "Per the SaaS-investor convention (BenchmarkIt 2025: healthy minimum 3:1, top performers 5:1+), a ratio below 3.0 at Series A and later signals unit economics that do not yet justify scaling. The stage minimums used by the deterministic consistency check live in KPI_CONSISTENCY_POLICIES.",
    "relatedKpiIds": [
      "sales.ltv",
      "sales.cac",
      "sales.cac_payback_period",
      "sales.gross_margin"
    ],
    "metricBasis": {
      "timeBasis": "trailing_window",
      "production": "computed"
    }
  }
}