An expression for an individual or company that is making just enough money to cover basic living expenses. Although ramen profitable indicates that you are taking in more money than you are spending, it does not indicate that a business or lifestyle is sustainable. The term was popularized by Paul Graham, and presumably is derived from a low-cost noodle dish known as ramen, indicating that you have just enough money to purchase this cheap dish for sustenance.
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Notable Quotable
Get Ramen Profitable
""Ramen profitable" means a startup makes just enough to pay the founders' living expenses. It's not rapid prototyping for business models (though it can be), but more a way of hacking the investment process. Once you cross over into ramen profitable, it completely changes your relationship with investors. It's also great for morale."
Startups in 13 Sentences (#9)
"Get ramen profitable. "Ramen profitable" means a startup makes just enough to pay the founders' living expenses. It's not rapid prototyping for business models (though it can be), but more a way of hacking the investment process. Once you cross over into ramen profitable, it completely changes your relationship with investors. It's also great for morale."