Startup Bootstrapping 

Bootstrapping refers to the process of starting and growing a business without external funding, relying instead on personal savings, reinvested profits, or operational revenue. Bootstrapped startups avoid venture capital or angel investments in their early phases, maintaining full control over business decisions and ownership. Benefits of bootstrapping: 

• No equity dilution 

• Full decision-making authority 

• Leaner, more efficient operations 

Challenges include: 

• Limited cash flow for hiring, product development, and marketing 

• Higher personal financial risk 

• Slower growth potential without external capital injection 

Many successful companies like Mailchimp and Basecamp started as bootstrapped ventures before scaling sustainably.