The findings include benchmarks, adoption patterns, and founder-submitted advice from real operators working in high-growth environments.
“Startups don’t struggle because they’re not working hard,” said Steven Macdonald, founder of OKRs Tool.
“They struggle because they’re not always working on the same things. OKRs – when done right – solve that.”
Key findings from the report include:
- 68% said OKRs helped them reach $1M ARR faster
- 89% wish they had started using OKRs earlier
- 39% saw measurable impact within 1-3 months
- 56% were using spreadsheets before switching to a purpose-built OKR tool
- Top benefits: improved team alignment (21%) and simplified goal tracking (20%)
The report also highlights lessons from top-performing teams, including practical tips for setting OKRs, building weekly habits, and avoiding common rollout mistakes.
One startup founder summarized it simply:
“OKRs helped us figure out what mattered – and where to focus – to actually hit our goals.”
Read the full report: See what’s working (and what’s not) for real startups using OKRs to grow faster, align better, and stay focused as they scale. The 2025 Startup OKR Report →
About the Study
This independent study was conducted between February and May 2025 and included responses from 200 early-stage teams across North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. All respondents were non-customers of OKRs Tool, ensuring an unbiased snapshot of real-world OKR adoption and outcomes.
About OKRs Tool
OKRs Tool is a goal-setting platform built specifically for early-stage startups. Designed to replace the chaos of spreadsheets and the overhead of enterprise tools, OKRs Tool helps small, fast-moving teams stay aligned, accountable, and focused on the goals that matter.
Learn more at OKRsTool.com
Media Contact
Steven Macdonald, OKRs Tool, 372 56614409, [email protected], https://www.okrstool.com/
SOURCE OKRs Tool
