Why did you choose to bootstrap over raising VC?

Sam Parr

Co-Founder · Hampton

Freedom

Sam Parr says he’s anti-VC for himself because he cares more about his own lifestyle and freedom, and that if your main goal is freedom and making money, bootstrapping is the way to go.

Kunal Jain

Team Lead · Intellect Design Arena Ltd

Purpose over money

Kunal Jain says the reason is purpose over money: bootstrapping gives a team a purpose to fight for rather than only monetary gain, since an economic-benefit design lacks built-in sustainability.

The answer starts at 13:31.

Yasser Elsaid

CEO · Chatbase

Control

Yasser Elsaid says he decided to keep his company bootstrapped because it is more fun to have control.

Victor Cardenas Codriansky

Co-Founder, CEO · Slash

Avoid dilution

Victor Cardenas Codriansky says he avoided raising more money to avoid dilution, warning that giving up even 3–4% means giving up that share of your productivity over the next couple of decades.

Simon Hørup Eskildsen

Co-Founder & CEO · Turbopuffer

Avoid big‑return pressure

Simon Hørup Eskildsen says he avoided venture capital because taking it means everyone expects a big return on a timeline, and he wasn't sure this could be a billion-dollar company.