[steiza]

We (at Olark) are wondering the same thing. We just recently talked to Poll Everywhere (S'08) - they are also bootstrapped and well over $1m / year in revenue. Wufoo was as well (they were acquired in 2011).

If you're a bootstrapped company (let's say < $100k in outside funding) and you have revenues >> $1m / year, we'd love to hear from you!

Does it count if you raise after you hit $1m / year in revenue? I'll let you decide.

[modoc]

100% bootstrapped and on track to break $10m/year in 2015.

[pbreit]

You make it sound like raising is bad. there is absolutely nothing wrong with raising and in fact it is a good thing.

[coralreef]

I wouldn't say raising money is necessarily a "good thing". Sure it gives you a bit of validation that someone would take a risk on you/your idea. But the data shows most companies will just burn through the money and never make a return.

Making profit is a "good thing". Raising money is just this side process that may or may not be necessary for your company.

[steiza]

I meant does it still count as bootstrapping if you raise after hitting $1m / year in revenue.

Without VC there would be no Google, no Microsoft, no Amazon, ... I don't think many people seriously advocate for a world with no VCs.

[jvyduna]

Raising is a great thing. Bootstrapping feels harder though.