Funding & InvestmentAlso known as: Self-funded, Indie hacking

Bootstrapping

Building a company using personal finances or operating revenue without external funding.

Full Definition

Bootstrapping is the process of building and growing a company using personal finances, revenue from customers, or minimal external funding. Bootstrapped founders maintain full ownership and control but may grow more slowly than funded competitors. Many successful companies including Mailchimp, Basecamp, and Spanx were bootstrapped to profitability.

Examples

  • 1Mailchimp bootstrapped to $12B acquisition without taking VC money
  • 2Basecamp has been profitable and bootstrapped since 1999