Comments on: The art of the bootstrap http://venturebeat.com/2008/11/20/the-art-of-the-bootstrap/ News About Tech, Money and Innovation Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:11:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: edhardy622 http://venturebeat.com/2008/11/20/the-art-of-the-bootstrap/comment-page-1/#comment-895584 edhardy622 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:38:49 +0000 http://venturebeat.com/?p=100711#comment-895584 British law student sues Abercrombie-Fitch for disability discrimination.<br><a href="http://www.abercrombieonsale.co.uk" rel="nofollow">http://www.abercrombieonsale.co.uk</a> British law student sues Abercrombie-Fitch for disability discrimination.
http://www.abercrombieonsale.co.uk

]]> By: Javier Rojas http://venturebeat.com/2008/11/20/the-art-of-the-bootstrap/comment-page-1/#comment-860130 Javier Rojas Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:42:20 +0000 http://venturebeat.com/?p=100711#comment-860130 Yes but they took money after achieving a $4.5M run rate and were operating breakeven. The risks for the founders in doing this, taking growth capital, is much lower than taking start up capital for those that can doit. As a result, they kept much more ownership. Yes but they took money after achieving a $4.5M run rate and were operating breakeven. The risks for the founders in doing this, taking growth capital, is much lower than taking start up capital for those that can doit. As a result, they kept much more ownership.

]]> By: Why Bootstrapping is not for Everyone? « Bootstrapper Handbook for Startups http://venturebeat.com/2008/11/20/the-art-of-the-bootstrap/comment-page-1/#comment-835202 Why Bootstrapping is not for Everyone? « Bootstrapper Handbook for Startups Fri, 28 Nov 2008 17:59:42 +0000 http://venturebeat.com/?p=100711#comment-835202 [...] 28, 2008 · No Comments Javier Rojas at Venture Beat, have written the answer to our title above — Why Bootstrapping is not for [...] [...] 28, 2008 · No Comments Javier Rojas at Venture Beat, have written the answer to our title above — Why Bootstrapping is not for [...]

]]> By: The art of the bootstrap » VentureBeat | kozmom // http://venturebeat.com/2008/11/20/the-art-of-the-bootstrap/comment-page-1/#comment-834677 The art of the bootstrap » VentureBeat | kozmom // Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:40:59 +0000 http://venturebeat.com/?p=100711#comment-834677 [...] details: The art of the bootstrap » VentureBeat [...] [...] details: The art of the bootstrap » VentureBeat [...]

]]> By: eCommerce News & Resources by oscommerceuniversity.com » Blog Archive » Open Source eCommerce and Bootstrapping http://venturebeat.com/2008/11/20/the-art-of-the-bootstrap/comment-page-1/#comment-834640 eCommerce News & Resources by oscommerceuniversity.com » Blog Archive » Open Source eCommerce and Bootstrapping Sat, 22 Nov 2008 18:00:40 +0000 http://venturebeat.com/?p=100711#comment-834640 [...] bootstrapping, a  process in which founders self finance their way to profitability in his article "The Art of the Bootstrap" at venturebeat.com. Mr. Rojas comments that founders often resort to moonlighting, which he [...] [...] bootstrapping, a  process in which founders self finance their way to profitability in his article “The Art of the Bootstrap” at venturebeat.com. Mr. Rojas comments that founders often resort to moonlighting, which he [...]

]]> By: david fishman http://venturebeat.com/2008/11/20/the-art-of-the-bootstrap/comment-page-1/#comment-860137 david fishman Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:06:57 +0000 http://venturebeat.com/?p=100711#comment-860137 It's important to keep many of the same bootstrapping ideas while operating and growing a business even after funding. To quote Howard Lindzon, "Too small to fail" is one way to look at the problem. Operations that are lean and mean that utilize outsource partners are a good example. Collaborative workforce technologies also reduce the need for a dedicated staff and companies can therefore operate efficiently with independent contractors and consultants. Companies that look at new technologies to support such business models will have success surviving and growing in this turbulent market. We have 2 employees and have been in stealth mode for 3 years producing products that support collaborative workforce efficiency in the online retail space. I plan to continue to run our business as efficiently as possible with or without funding. It's important to keep many of the same bootstrapping ideas while operating and growing a business even after funding. To quote Howard Lindzon, “Too small to fail” is one way to look at the problem. Operations that are lean and mean that utilize outsource partners are a good example. Collaborative workforce technologies also reduce the need for a dedicated staff and companies can therefore operate efficiently with independent contractors and consultants. Companies that look at new technologies to support such business models will have success surviving and growing in this turbulent market. We have 2 employees and have been in stealth mode for 3 years producing products that support collaborative workforce efficiency in the online retail space. I plan to continue to run our business as efficiently as possible with or without funding.

]]> By: Adam http://venturebeat.com/2008/11/20/the-art-of-the-bootstrap/comment-page-1/#comment-860136 Adam Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:20:31 +0000 http://venturebeat.com/?p=100711#comment-860136 Good information. I've been bootstrapping my company <a href="http://WebStarts.com" rel="nofollow">http://WebStarts.com</a> for a couple of years now. We're experiencing most of what's addressed in the article. Good information. I've been bootstrapping my company http://WebStarts.com for a couple of years now. We're experiencing most of what's addressed in the article.

]]> By: Hillel http://venturebeat.com/2008/11/20/the-art-of-the-bootstrap/comment-page-1/#comment-860134 Hillel Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:57:03 +0000 http://venturebeat.com/?p=100711#comment-860134 Agreed. I guess I think the vc/boot paths can each act as a forcing function to get the right entrepreneur employee mentality. Not always, but often. Agreed. I guess I think the vc/boot paths can each act as a forcing function to get the right entrepreneur employee mentality. Not always, but often.

]]> By: Demian Farnworth http://venturebeat.com/2008/11/20/the-art-of-the-bootstrap/comment-page-1/#comment-860135 Demian Farnworth Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:19:17 +0000 http://venturebeat.com/?p=100711#comment-860135 Appreciate the thorough discussion. I'm on the brink of moonlighting and like the tip of inviting people in to help with the direction and growth. Hadn't thought about that. Appreciate the thorough discussion. I'm on the brink of moonlighting and like the tip of inviting people in to help with the direction and growth. Hadn't thought about that.

]]> By: Johnny http://venturebeat.com/2008/11/20/the-art-of-the-bootstrap/comment-page-1/#comment-860133 Johnny Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:17:50 +0000 http://venturebeat.com/?p=100711#comment-860133 Hillel, I'd say that the VC/Boot debate isn't as important as the Entrepreneur/Employee mentality. Israel has done a wonderful job of stimulating their economy by encouraging micro-entrepreneurs to take small risks often. <br><br>I know plenty of entrepreneurs with profitable startups that would kill for VC funding just to make some breathing room. When you have a choice between writing yourself a paycheck or more investment towards building the company it can be a very difficult decision. Hillel, I'd say that the VC/Boot debate isn't as important as the Entrepreneur/Employee mentality. Israel has done a wonderful job of stimulating their economy by encouraging micro-entrepreneurs to take small risks often.

I know plenty of entrepreneurs with profitable startups that would kill for VC funding just to make some breathing room. When you have a choice between writing yourself a paycheck or more investment towards building the company it can be a very difficult decision.

]]> By: Hillel http://venturebeat.com/2008/11/20/the-art-of-the-bootstrap/comment-page-1/#comment-860132 Hillel Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:13:57 +0000 http://venturebeat.com/?p=100711#comment-860132 We're bootstrapping our business. Your article rings true to us. <br><br>The one thing I would add is that, at least in my observation, a significant percentage (i think the majority) of companies that are funded by VCs today should be bootstraps. You have a paragraph at the end of your article describing how some companies can't take the bootstrap path. You're missing a paragraph describing the startups that shouldn't take the VC path. I believe when a company that can bootstrap, takes VC, it warps their values, and ultimately may lower their chances at success.<br><br>I think we're in a world right now where bootstrapping is the exception, and VC is the norm. I think that should be inverted. We're bootstrapping our business. Your article rings true to us.

The one thing I would add is that, at least in my observation, a significant percentage (i think the majority) of companies that are funded by VCs today should be bootstraps. You have a paragraph at the end of your article describing how some companies can't take the bootstrap path. You're missing a paragraph describing the startups that shouldn't take the VC path. I believe when a company that can bootstrap, takes VC, it warps their values, and ultimately may lower their chances at success.

I think we're in a world right now where bootstrapping is the exception, and VC is the norm. I think that should be inverted.

]]> By: MartinEdic http://venturebeat.com/2008/11/20/the-art-of-the-bootstrap/comment-page-1/#comment-860131 MartinEdic Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:56:43 +0000 http://venturebeat.com/?p=100711#comment-860131 This piece hits home as we've been bootstrapping but have a runaway market (social media monitoring) that requires us to ramp up sales ASAP. So we're now raising money while still working to build revenue on our own dime. Bootstrapping a business that has slow but steady growth is fine but a business that can grow very rapidly (like ours) requires capital.<br>It has been interesting to see how much more relevant these kinds of posts are when you're in the thick of it on a daily basis! This piece hits home as we've been bootstrapping but have a runaway market (social media monitoring) that requires us to ramp up sales ASAP. So we're now raising money while still working to build revenue on our own dime. Bootstrapping a business that has slow but steady growth is fine but a business that can grow very rapidly (like ours) requires capital.
It has been interesting to see how much more relevant these kinds of posts are when you're in the thick of it on a daily basis!

]]> By: Jackson Fish Market » More on Bootstrapping http://venturebeat.com/2008/11/20/the-art-of-the-bootstrap/comment-page-1/#comment-834570 Jackson Fish Market » More on Bootstrapping Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:09:31 +0000 http://venturebeat.com/?p=100711#comment-834570 [...] already shared our thoughts on what bootstrapping means, but when I read this piece on bootstrapping I couldn’t help but share since I think it’s pretty much on: “When you decide to [...] [...] already shared our thoughts on what bootstrapping means, but when I read this piece on bootstrapping I couldn’t help but share since I think it’s pretty much on: “When you decide to [...]

]]> By: Jeffrey McManus http://venturebeat.com/2008/11/20/the-art-of-the-bootstrap/comment-page-1/#comment-860129 Jeffrey McManus Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:20:50 +0000 http://venturebeat.com/?p=100711#comment-860129 Um, eBay took venture money. Um, eBay took venture money.

]]> By: peHUB » peHUB First Read http://venturebeat.com/2008/11/20/the-art-of-the-bootstrap/comment-page-1/#comment-834550 peHUB » peHUB First Read Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:45:57 +0000 http://venturebeat.com/?p=100711#comment-834550 [...] * Javier Rojas of Kennet Capital: The art of the bootstrap. [...] [...] * Javier Rojas of Kennet Capital: The art of the bootstrap. [...]

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