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Also known as: self-funded, bootstrap

Bootstrapping

FoundationalFundraisingStrategies

Definition

Bootstrapping: Bootstrapping is building a company without external funding, relying on personal savings, revenue, and profitability. Bootstrapped founders maintain full ownership and control but may grow slower than funded competitors. Many successful companies have been bootstrapped.

Example Usage

β€œWe bootstrapped to $2M ARR before deciding to raise funding to accelerate growth.”

Common Misconceptions

Bootstrapping means no money. It means no external equity funding, not no capital at all.
Bootstrapping limits success. Many billion-dollar companies were bootstrapped.
You can only bootstrap small businesses. SaaS companies can scale significantly while bootstrapped.

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