I would call it "Soft Bootstrapping". It is a very important distinction to make. I used to work for a company which was growing like crazy and were signing cu

I would call it "Soft Bootstrapping". It is a very important distinction to make. I used to work for a company which was growing like crazy and were signing customers left and right. The company hadn't taken any external investment. I was amazed at their "perceived" organic growth rate and very proud of working there. Then, the bubble popped. One day, I found out that one of the founders who actually plugging in the difference every month from his own pocket. Frankly, I was little disappointed. I think its important to take into account the financial positions of the founders or their investments in their own companies.