Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2017

Self-funding or bootstrapping is still the most common and safest approach for startups Keep your day job until revenue starts to flow. After bootstrapping, friends and family are the most common funding sources for early-stage startups. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. Set expectations accordingly.

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Product Development Cost Developer Product 177

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2013

Self-funding or bootstrapping is still the most common and safest approach for startups Keep your day job until revenue starts to flow. After bootstrapping, friends and family are the most common funding sources for early-stage startups. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. Set expectations accordingly.

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Intellectual Property Technical Review Venture Capital Startup 309

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 12, 2018

Self-funding or bootstrapping is still the most common and safest approach for startups Keep your day job until real revenue flows. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. After bootstrapping, friends and family are the most common funding sources for early-stage startups. Use crowd funding to build reserves.

Intellectual Property 134

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 134

Austin Startup

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

Although bootstrapping is still an approach in Austin, a lot has changed since I wrote my original challenge to the Bootstrap Austin group back in 2005. Bootstrap Austin, started by Bijoy Goswami. The original Bootstrap Austin was truly special and Bijoy did an amazing job bringing together some terrific entrepreneurs.

Bootstrapping 48

Bootstrapping Austin Equity Cofounder 48

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 25, 2012

For example, with any outside investment, you give up some ownership and control, and with bootstrapping your growth curve will likely be longer and more organic. Following is my prioritized larger list of sources, with some “rules of thumb” which may save you a lot of time and energy: Bootstrapping. Bartering services for equity.

Technical Review 257

Technical Review Bootstrapping Venture Capital Incubator 257

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2015

Self-funding or bootstrapping is still the most common and safest approach for startups Keep your day job until real revenue flows. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. After bootstrapping, friends and family are the most common funding sources for early-stage startups. Use crowd funding to build reserves.

Entrepreneur 120

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 120

www.entrepreneur.com

SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

Human Resources Play Video Shark Tanks Barbara Corcoran on Bootstrapping a Growing a Business (Video). What is Sweat Equity Worth? Determining how to value sweat equity is key when negotiating with investors and employees. Entrepreneurs often ask me how to value the sweat equity invested in their startup. July 31, 2007 |.

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Sweat Equity Equity Fractional CTO CTO 55

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2011

For example, with any outside investment, you give up some ownership and control, and with bootstrapping your growth curve will likely be longer and more organic. Following is my prioritized larger list of sources, with some “rules of thumb” which may save you a lot of time and energy: Bootstrapping. Bartering services for equity.

Technical Review 233

Technical Review Bootstrapping Startup Venture Capital 233

Gust

JUNE 17, 2012

For example, with any outside investment, you give up some ownership and control, and with bootstrapping your growth curve will likely be longer and more organic. Following is my prioritized larger list of sources, with some “rules of thumb” which may save you a lot of time and energy: Bootstrapping. Bartering services for equity.

Technical Review 164

Technical Review Bootstrapping Venture Capital Incubator 164

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 1, 2010

For example, with any outside investment, you give up some ownership and control, and with bootstrapping you growth curve will likely be longer and more organic. Following is my prioritized larger list of sources, with some “rules of thumb” which may save you a lot of time and energy: Bootstrapping. Bartering services for equity.

Technical Review 149

Technical Review Bootstrapping Startup Venture Capital 149

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 19, 2015

I usually envision a 50-50 ownership split for their efforts, but every engineer believes the technology side deserves the majority share. Most founders bootstrap product development. Outside investors are most interested in scaling a proven business model, not research and development. Fabulous solutions require great technology.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Intellectual Property Cofounder Bootstrapping 120

Professor VC

MARCH 10, 2009

Bootstrapping 101. I moderated a panel discussion last night on one of my favorite topics, bootstrapping, as part of our Silicon Valley Center for Entrepreneurship Eminent Speaker Series at San Jose State. They have a standard presentation on bootstrapping, which they present around the country. ProfessorVC. Steve Bennet.

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Bootstrapping San Jose Silicon Valley Software Review 28

Spencer Fry

APRIL 17, 2017

Days before the conference started, I was asked (and felt honored) to lead two workshops on bootstrapping vs. raising money. Having started and sold 3 successful bootstrapped businesses, and am now running 1 venture capital backed business ( Coach ), this is a topic I know a thing or two about. What's “good” about bootstrapping.

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Bootstrapping Cap Table Liquidation Preference Cofounder 63

www.readwriteweb.com

OCTOBER 7, 2007

This is typically called “bootstrapping&# and it is fraught with potential pitfalls and dangers. But when done well it can really help get a company going fast, professionally and without the founders having to give up much (if any) equity - or bankrupting themselves. What is bootstrapping? Why bootstrap?

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Bootstrapping Offshore Startup EC2 41

Duct Tape Marketing

AUGUST 23, 2023

He is the co-founder of Boast.ai, where he leveraged the Community-Led Growth model to bootstrap the company. where he leveraged a community-led growth model to bootstrap the company. Then another time was when we were bootstrapping both. I'm an engineer. He is an entrepreneur, podcast host, and community builder.

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Community Kuwait Cofounder Bootstrapping 53

ReadWriteStart

OCTOBER 7, 2010

Bottom line, early stage equity is very, very expensive. As a thumb rule, try to get enough validation so that you can get to at least a $2 million pre-money valuation before raising equity capital. Sub-$2 million pre-money, it is better to bootstrap. If you have to raise money, try to do so as convertible notes.

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Valuation Silicon Valley Pre-Money Valuation Bootstrapping 119

ReadWriteStart

SEPTEMBER 10, 2010

Whether it is credit or equity, funding is very, very tight. Because customer financing equals revenue, not equity. As far as customer acquisition is concerned, we discussed, again the power of organic search engine optimization. I gave Gio some advice on funding, which I will repeat here for all of you.

Cloud 115

Cloud Silicon Valley Incubator Finance 115

The Next Web

AUGUST 26, 2013

Raise your first round of money, or bootstrap. You either do it on your own, taking all risks and responsibility yourself (“bootstrapping”), or you find investors that believe in your company. I’ve seen a few businesses where the first investors took huge pieces of equity for very little money. 15-20% equity for first investors.

Management 120

Management Cofounder Startup Bootstrapping 120

David Teten

JANUARY 21, 2021

V: Should you raise venture capital from a traditional equity VC or a Revenue-Based Investing VC? VI: Revenue-based financing: The next step for private equity and early-stage investment. VIII: The Leading Flexible VCs, With Structures Between Equity and Revenue-Based Investing. We plan to raise $2.5m

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Equity Revenue Cofounder Colorado 78

Up and Running

JULY 1, 2015

Bootstrapping. There are other alternative ways to jumpstart your business engine. Many entrepreneurs use bootstrapping, which means financing your company by scraping together funds in unconventional ways. Here are some popular ways of bootstrapping your business. Check out Kickstarter or Indiegogo to get started.

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Bootstrapping Angel Investor Venture Capital Finder 60

ReadWriteStart

JULY 18, 2011

Jeff Clavier was the first tech investor I ever met; he was introduced to me years ago by some hip engineers in a bar as "one of the few cool VCs." He believes that equity need not be distributed equally, as long as everyone involved is happy with their arrangement. You can also follow Kedrosky on Twitter. The stages of funding.

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Investment Bankers Technical Review Cofounder Due Diligence 153

ReadWriteStart

DECEMBER 9, 2010

In fact, I just did a case study on Coastal Contacts , a $150 million e-commerce company that sells contact lenses online and has built itself up largely by using inventory financing as opposed to venture capital and equity financing. Or, bootstrap longer. Some examples include Flipkart and Redbus in India, and Freshdiet in the US.

Silicon Valley 117

Silicon Valley Malaysia India China 117

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 9, 2018

Bootstrapping allows you to maintain full control of your startup strategy, retain maximum equity, and avoid the time delay and energy spent to attract outside investors. In today’s world, more successful entrepreneurs have built on degrees in engineering rather than business. You need a business degree to start a venture today.

Incubator 180

Incubator Angel Investor Dilution Equity 180

The Startup Magazine

SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

This is why I made the decision to bootstrap HighRadius. As a founder and CEO, the most important gift that bootstrapping gave me was the ability to slow down, speed up and pivot when and where we knew we needed to. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and began his career as an SAP consultant.

Early Stage 85

Early Stage Venture Capital Bootstrapping Pre-Money Valuation 85

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 6, 2012

Starting your business with a very low investment is called “bootstrapping,” and these entrepreneurs usually have the most fun. Consultants don’t need any inventory Barter your skills or equity for services you need. Exchanging equity for services is worth negotiating with legal counsel, accountants, engineers, and even sales people.

Bandwidth 236

Bandwidth Bootstrapping Equity Startup 236

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 20, 2011

Starting your business with a very low investment is called “bootstrapping,” and these entrepreneurs usually have the most fun. Consultants don’t need any inventory Barter your skills or equity for services you need. Exchanging equity for services is worth negotiating with legal counsel, accountants, engineers, and even sales people.

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Entrepreneur Bandwidth Equity Bootstrapping 233

Up and Running

FEBRUARY 6, 2017

After all, sweat equity can make up for a trim marketing budget, but it would be hard to make up for cuts in product development and customer service without sacrificing customer experience. Ultimately, this results in better search engine ranking for your site. See Also: My 13 Favorite Alternative Funding Options.

Sweat Equity 60

Sweat Equity Equity Sales PR 60

Rob Go

DECEMBER 28, 2011

Wayfair: This is somewhere between an exit and and a growth round, but the largest independent ecommerce company focused on the huge home/furniture category raised a $165M round from a group of growth, private equity, and venture investors. Gemvara: Custom Jewelry company raised $15M from Balderton and scaling very rapidly.

Technical Review 54

Technical Review Boston Software Review IPO 54

Gust

JULY 29, 2012

Starting your business with a very low investment is called “bootstrapping,” and these entrepreneurs usually have the most fun. Barter your skills or equity for services you need. Exchanging equity for services is worth negotiating with legal counsel, accountants, engineers, and even sales people.

Bandwidth 155

Bandwidth Bootstrapping Equity Startup 155

A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

OCTOBER 23, 2012

After all, before the house of cards inevitably tumbles, private equity investors get a tidy return. GroupOn’s engine that turned capital into revenue growth was a form of force-feeding rather than building a product). It’s my goal to join the ranks of those excellent companies at WP Engine. And it is magic.

IPO 240

IPO Flash Bootstrapping Private Equity 240

grasshopper.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

Getting Paid in Equity: A What to Do Guide. Equity-based pay is often used by the founders of young start-ups who want to grow their businesses but cannot offer big salaries to qualified professionals. Below are some helpful tips and suggestions to keep in mind when contemplating whether or not to take an equity-based position.

Equity 41

Equity Vesting Sweat Equity Salary 41

ReadWriteStart

DECEMBER 16, 2010

The trends include Cloud computing, outsourcing, social Web, vertical and local Web, smartphones and tablets, online advertising, online video, online gaming, e-books, and bootstrapped entrepreneurship. Jimmy has already managed the most complex part of the bootstrapping phase with very little outside investment.

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Senegal Nevada Bootstrapping Silicon Valley 117

YoungUpstarts

JULY 8, 2014

What’s often been labeled the ‘Maker Movement’, we’re in a time when independent designers, developers, tinkerers and engineers can come up with a unique offering and within a few days have hundreds of thousands of people backing them online through these crowdfunding platforms. In fact, over $2.7

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Campaign Channel Bootstrapping Database 216

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 3, 2010

Starting your business with a very low investment is called “bootstrapping,” and these entrepreneurs usually have the most fun. Consultants don’t need any inventory Barter your skills or equity for services you need. Exchanging equity for services is worth negotiating with legal counsel, accountants, engineers, and even sales people.

Bandwidth 128

Bandwidth Equity Bootstrapping Matching 128

blog.captainrecruiter.com

MARCH 8, 2012

Two years ago I got the bug to do an online recruiting startup and I began the hunt to find a technical co-founder - a software engineer who works for no cash - to help me build my dream website. You may get a software engineer to start something for you, but they wont stick with the project when it gets difficult.

Cofounder 40

Cofounder Technical Cofounder Founder Software Engineering 40

ReadWriteStart

OCTOBER 14, 2010

He is willing to give up 33% of equity for this $1 million investment. I feel that it is not at all necessary to give this much equity up at this stage of the game. He should then bootstrap his product development by using the consulting fees. He should then bootstrap his product development by using the consulting fees.

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Bootstrapping Marketing Angel Investor Silicon Valley 114

Transformify

FEBRUARY 1, 2019

Bootstrapping. Taking this route has one obvious advantage and it is the fact that the entrepreneur remains in control of the business and no equity is acquired by third parties. Equity Funding. There are advantages too as the equity funding model may secure funding for faster growth.

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Affiliate Equity Valuation SEO 49