For everyone bitching about VC's demand on speed and profits, it wouldn't be any different working inside of FAANG. Your team is given a time limit on how fast

For everyone bitching about VC's demand on speed and profits, it wouldn't be any different working inside of FAANG. Your team is given a time limit on how fast it can work and it will need to make the parent organization money otherwise it'll get shut down and re-org'd after a year or two. If you bootstrap a company, and it's successful enough to turn a profit, you're still at the mercy of finding a steady stream of customers. Most successful bootstrapped companies usually find 1 or 2 anchor companies that then start dictating how your company should run so that you can get paid and continue the relationship. Also, companies will prefer to have other options, so your bootstrapped company will be one of many options. (or replaced internally) There really is no magical solution to working and making money. You should just approach this problem as, I want to build a company, I believe in this idea so much I'm willing to risk a lot to make it happen. If a VC gets you what you need but forces you to get there in 3 or 4 years time, but you think you need 5, it's not like you have a better option to prove your idea, so figure out how to get there in 3 or 4.