VC-backed startups have a very different "lifestyle" from bootstrapped startups. Building the business is harder but running the business is much easier since

VC-backed startups have a very different "lifestyle" from bootstrapped startups. Building the business is harder but running the business is much easier since you don't have the weight of exit strategy bearing down on you. Those external pressures are now showing up thanks to rising interest rates and investors asking questions. You can't be coerced to make business decisions like selling out to a competitor or aggressively raising prices if you own the company.