Sentence Correction

Question source: Manhattan GMAT CAT

The growth rate of a startup business, as other performance indicators, generally increases with both the time and resources dedicated to the endeavor.

A. The growth rate of a startup business, as other performance indicators, generally increases with both the time and

B. As with other performance indicators, the growth rate of a startup business generally increases with both the time and

C. Like other performance indicators, the growth rate of a startup business generally increases both with the time and

D. As other performance indicators, the growth rate of a startup business generally increases both with the time and the

E. The growth rate of a startup business, like other performance indicators, generally increases with both the time and the

My Question: Is "The growth rate of a startup business" a complex gerund(noun)? and is it correct using "like" here for comparison?

I am interested to know the OA. I can come down to C and E, and IMO-E , because of the 'the' at the end.

The growth rate of a startup business = noun phrase
other performance indicators = noun phrase

Like is used to comapre nouns or noun phrases.

hence, E

IMO E -
Ashish has already explained...

What is the OA?

Among C and E
E is correct because correct idiom is both X and Y where X and Y must be parallel

C Like other performance indicators, the growth rate of a startup business generally increases both with the time and resources dedicated to the endeavor.

Not parallel




E The growth rate of a startup business, like other performance indicators, generally increases with both the time and the resources dedicated to the endeavor

Parallel

Well done guys, OA is E.