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Signal

Unit Economics

Are per-unit economics proven and improving?

Assessment Spectrum

PROVEN
PLAUSIBLE
FRAGILE
BROKEN
BestWorst
How This Signal Affects Analysis
This signal provides a standardized assessment that makes it easy to compare across different companies. When multiple lenses produce this signal, disagreements surface where the evidence is ambiguous.

Assessment Labels

Every analysis assigns one of 4 categorical labels to this signal. Labels represent a spectrum from best to worst assessment.

PROVENBest outcome

Unit economics are clearly positive with cohort evidence. LTV/CAC healthy, contribution margins strong, economics proven at scale.

PLAUSIBLEPositive outcome

Unit economics appear positive but not yet fully proven. Path to profitability is credible but requires execution.

FRAGILEConcerning outcome

Unit economics are marginal or deteriorating. CAC inflation, cohort decay, or contribution margin compression visible.

BROKENWorst outcome

Unit economics are negative with no clear path to profitability. Each unit of growth destroys value.

What This Signal Captures

Contribution marginCAC paybackCohort decayVariable cost trendsLTV/CAC ratio

Lenses That Produce This Signal

Multiple lenses can assess the same signal independently. When lenses disagree, we surface the conflict rather than hiding it.

Prospectus Probe

Is this a real business or a liquidity exit?

Atomic Auditor

Are the unit economics proven, improving, and repeatable?

All ConceptsLearn about Evidence Levels