8 Reasons to Bootstrap as Long as You Can

Alan MendelevičFounder & CEOAdDuplex@ailon

In general parlance, bootstrapping usually refers to the starting of a self-sustaining process that is supposed to proceed without external input.

Bootstrapping in business means starting a business without external help or capital.

Just a few bootstrapped companies(at least for quite a while)

Empowering developers to help each other grow.

• Launched in early 2011 (solo founder)• Break-even in late 2011• FFF investment in late 2011 + first

employee• Ramen-profitable in late 2012• Seed investment from Practica Capital

in mid-2013• Current status: 12 employees,

profitable

www.adduplex.com

The largest cross-promotionnetwork for Windows Phone and Windows Store apps

Looking for:

• Business developer – mid-to-large game/app developers and publishers

• Senior .NET developer

Details at www.adduplex.com/jobs

My assumptions about you…• You have never sold a

company for millions• You have never raised

money from institutional investors

• You don’t have a high-level position in a high profile company on your resume

• You are not in Silicon Valley

• You don’t have a product with decent traction

Reason #1. The obvious one.

No one will fund your PowerPoint deck

2015 definition

• Pre-funding: You talk about your idea, you build a prototype & launch an MVP.

• Seed Round: The funding necessary to get product traction.• A Round: The funding necessary to scale your product.• B Round: The funding necessary to get founder liquidity, build groovy headquarters,

and make competitors give up (or not start in the first place).

Jason Calacanis

http://calacanis.com/2015/01/18/the-official-definitions-of-seed-series-a-and-series-b-rounds/

Reason #2.Fundraising takes time. Spend it on building your product.

Reason #3.The best time to raise funding is when you don’t need the money.

Reason #4.Cash constraints make you think about the business side of your business.

Reason #5.Cash constraints make you more creative in marketing and customer acquisition.

Reason #6.Cash constraints instill discipline.

Reason #7.You became an entrepreneur to be your own boss.

Reason #8.You can fail faster.

Yeah, OK, but how?

Don’t quit your 9-to-5 job too early

Ensure some passive income

Learn how to code or find a technical co-founder

Be Jack of All Trades

Start selling early. Help your customers fund you.

Leverage startup offers from tech giants

• Microsoft• Amazon• Google• etc.

Personal debt

Thank you

Alan MendelevičFounder & CEOAdDuplexalan@adduplex.com@ailon