Originally published in SeedStage Digest (Oct 2023)
The term “bootstrapper” has long carried a quiet stigma in venture circles — a kind of polite dismissal, often followed by, “That’s cute, but what’s the TAM?” But in 2023 and beyond, bootstrapping isn’t just a fallback. It’s a philosophy — and for many founders, it’s a competitive edge.
Across sectors, we're seeing a resurgence of revenue-first, control-holding founders who are prioritizing sustainability over spectacle. And while they may not dominate Twitter feeds, they’re shipping fast, serving real customers, and keeping their cap tables refreshingly clean.
Take Clara Systems, for example — a two-person startup offering compliance tools for small insurance firms. With $25K in angel money and two years of focus, they hit $60K MRR in August — all without ever pitching a VC.
Or look at NoteSpace, a minimalist documentation SaaS platform bootstrapped by a solo founder in Amsterdam. It serves 1,400 paying customers, was profitable by month four, and recently crossed $100K ARR — all without a “launch” post.
There’s also a culture shift underway. More founders are openly sharing their decision to skip VC, and there’s increasing support from communities like Indie Hackers, Trends.vc, and 1kTrueFans. The message? You don’t have to raise millions to build something meaningful.
“Bootstrapping gave me options,” said Clara Systems founder Rachel Ingram. “It let me build slow, experiment, and own the upside.”
It’s not for everyone — and that’s the point. For those who choose this path, bootstrapping isn’t about staying small. It’s about staying in control.
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