Glossary · Fundraising
Bootstrapping
Growing a company with customer revenue and your own savings instead of raising investor money. You trade slower scale for more control and fewer bosses.
Related: Runway · Revenue-based financing · Venture debt
A bit more nuance▾
- Many great businesses bootstrap far longer than Twitter suggests.
- Some markets have thin angel ecosystems — bootstrapping is default, not ideology.
Go deeper▾
Discussion questions▾
- What would force you to raise even if you prefer not to?
- Which costs would you cut last if revenue paused for six months?
Educational reference only — not legal, tax, or investment advice. Terms vary by country and deal; ask a qualified professional when it matters.