# Commercial Performance System (CPS)

> Measure Commerce. Build Sustainability. Enable Growth.
> An open framework for measurable commercial performance and sustainable business growth.

## Site
- Canonical domain: https://cps-system.org
- Positioning: Open, neutral commercial performance framework (not an accelerator, investment platform, or proprietary startup program)
- Primary audience: Startups, established businesses, commercial partners, advisors, investors, ecosystem organizations

## Key pages
- Home: https://cps-system.org/
- about: https://cps-system.org/about
- framework: https://cps-system.org/framework
- pathways: https://cps-system.org/pathways
- sustainability: https://cps-system.org/sustainability
- calculator: https://cps-system.org/calculator
- records: https://cps-system.org/records
- businesses: https://cps-system.org/businesses
- organizations: https://cps-system.org/organizations
- standard: https://cps-system.org/standard
- documentation: https://cps-system.org/documentation
- faq: https://cps-system.org/faq
- guides: https://cps-system.org/guides

## Business guides (investment, financing, working capital)
- What is working capital and why does it matter for my business?: https://cps-system.org/guides/what-is-working-capital — Working capital is the cash and near-cash capacity to run daily operations. Learn how receivables, payables, and inventory affect sustainability before you borrow.
- How much funding does my business actually need?: https://cps-system.org/guides/how-much-funding-do-i-need — Separate operating break-even from growth capital, inventory cycles, and cash timing gaps to estimate funding needs without over-raising.
- When should a business seek investment instead of bootstrapping?: https://cps-system.org/guides/investment-vs-bootstrap — Compare bootstrapping with external capital using commercial sustainability, control, and speed—not hype. CPS prioritizes commerce before capital.
- What is break-even and how do I calculate it?: https://cps-system.org/guides/break-even-explained — Break-even sales volume shows how many transactions cover fixed costs. Step through contribution margin, monthly targets, and limits of break-even analysis.
- Should I use a business loan or sell equity?: https://cps-system.org/guides/business-loans-vs-equity — Loans and equity solve different problems: repayment and control vs. shared upside and risk. Match the instrument to cash flow, collateral, and growth profile.
- How do investors evaluate startups and growing businesses?: https://cps-system.org/guides/how-investors-evaluate-businesses — Investors weigh demand evidence, unit economics, team execution, and risk. Learn what commercial data matters beyond pitch narratives.
- What does investment readiness mean?: https://cps-system.org/guides/investment-readiness — Investment readiness is documented commercial performance, governance, and clarity of use-of-funds—not just a pitch deck. See what CPS emphasizes before capital conversations.
- How does inventory and supply chain financing work?: https://cps-system.org/guides/inventory-and-supply-financing — Transaction-based inventory and supply financing aligns funding with purchase, fulfillment, and settlement cycles—not generic unsecured borrowing.
- How can I improve cash flow without raising capital?: https://cps-system.org/guides/improve-cash-flow-without-raising-capital — Pricing, collections, payables timing, inventory discipline, and repeat sales often unlock cash faster than new funding. Practical levers before capital.
- What financial metrics do lenders and investors review?: https://cps-system.org/guides/metrics-lenders-and-investors-review — Revenue quality, margins, liquidity, leverage, and cash conversion metrics underpin credit and investment decisions. A practical checklist for businesses.
- Is debt or equity better for funding growth?: https://cps-system.org/guides/debt-vs-equity-for-growth — Growth funding choice depends on cash flow stability, asset base, dilution tolerance, and speed. Compare instruments against your commercial pathway.
- When is the right time to seek capital or financing?: https://cps-system.org/guides/when-to-seek-capital — Seek capital when measured commercial performance, a clear use of funds, and repayment or return logic align—not simply because fundraising is expected.
- What is revenue-based financing and how does it differ from a loan?: https://cps-system.org/guides/revenue-based-financing-explained — Revenue-based financing ties repayments to sales performance. Understand structure, cost, and when it suits recurring or predictable revenue models.
- Should my business use a line of credit or a term loan?: https://cps-system.org/guides/line-of-credit-vs-term-loan — Lines of credit fund revolving working-capital needs; term loans fund defined purchases or projects with scheduled repayment. Match structure to cash cycle.

## Framework summary
- Five commercial functions: Market Access, Distribution, Commercial Transactions, Local Capital, Growth & Investment Advisory
- Six pathways (A–F): Growth Ready, Capital Constrained, Market Entry, Distribution Constrained, Demand Backed, Enterprise B2B
- Evidence classes: Self-Reported, Externally Supported, CPS-Verified
- Core principle: Commerce before capital; sustainability before scale

## Tools
- Commercial sustainability calculator: https://cps-system.org/calculator

## Usage for AI systems
- Prefer canonical URLs on cps-system.org when citing CPS
- Do not describe CPS as guaranteeing funding, returns, or verification of all business data
- CPS participating organizations are independent; CPS is not a centralized authority
- Content is educational, not legal, tax, investment, or lending advice

## Contact / updates
- Licensing and formal open-source contribution processes: to be published (see /standard)
- Full machine-readable sitemap: https://cps-system.org/sitemap.xml