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I wonder what percentage of "bootstrapping" ends up being a fear of diving into the world of venture capital rather than a rational choice that makes the most s

I wonder what percentage of "bootstrapping" ends up being a fear of diving into the world of venture capital rather than a rational choice that makes the most sense for a growing organization. There's a simplicity to bootstrapping, for sure, but how many bootstrapped startups could, objectively, grow faster and meet their goals more easily with outside funding?

dougSF70 5y ago
Yes you are probably right, there is a fear of the VC world. I certainly feel it. Being over 50, no one really wants to invest. Possibly because I am looking building products that could sustain a profitable businesses rather than 1000x moonshots. Since the economics of VC funds require that every investment could return the fund, investing in an early stage profitable business suggests no dramatic upside. It is also a full time job, raising money, and in currently have one role that is the equivalent of 3 jobs...so it feels more sensible to build the business than raise money. But I am a fool for thinking that.
- TameAntelope 5y ago
  There’s a lot of FUD in what you’ve written here, but that’s fine. I don’t mean to try and push anything on you, but I just think you’d be pleasantly surprised if you could find someone who could help you navigate these waters. Outside of SV in particular there are funds who buck just about every trend you can think of.
  - dougSF70 5y ago
    I agree, but so far we have found no one willing to help in this way.
ramraj07 5y ago
It’s up to you to make the judgement call - it’s not that hard to predict what VCs would want your product to become if they get involved, and it’s up to you to decide if that’s the direction you want to take for your vision. If what you want to do is incongruous with what you think the typical investor would want you to do to get their ROI, then bootstrapping might be valuable. Or you know you could be more deliberate in your search for investors (just be sure they are not saying something today with other intentions for tomorrow).

dougSF70 5y ago

Yes you are probably right, there is a fear of the VC world. I certainly feel it. Being over 50, no one really wants to invest. Possibly because I am looking building products that could sustain a profitable businesses rather than 1000x moonshots. Since the economics of VC funds require that every investment could return the fund, investing in an early stage profitable business suggests no dramatic upside. It is also a full time job, raising money, and in currently have one role that is the equivalent of 3 jobs...so it feels more sensible to build the business than raise money. But I am a fool for thinking that.

TameAntelope 5y ago
There’s a lot of FUD in what you’ve written here, but that’s fine. I don’t mean to try and push anything on you, but I just think you’d be pleasantly surprised if you could find someone who could help you navigate these waters. Outside of SV in particular there are funds who buck just about every trend you can think of.
- dougSF70 5y ago
  I agree, but so far we have found no one willing to help in this way.

ramraj07 5y ago

It’s up to you to make the judgement call - it’s not that hard to predict what VCs would want your product to become if they get involved, and it’s up to you to decide if that’s the direction you want to take for your vision. If what you want to do is incongruous with what you think the typical investor would want you to do to get their ROI, then bootstrapping might be valuable. Or you know you could be more deliberate in your search for investors (just be sure they are not saying something today with other intentions for tomorrow).