Startup: Bootstrap First, Raise Money Later | Sramana Mitra

The 1Mby1M Methodology is based on case studies. In this course, Sramana Mitra shares the tribal knowledge of tech entrepreneurs by giving students the rare seat at the table with the entrepreneurs, investors and thought leaders who provide the most instructive perspectives on how to build a thriving business. Through these conversations, students gain access to case studies exploring the alleys of entrepreneurship. Sramana’s synthesis of key learnings and incisive analysis add great depth to each discussion.

Learn the importance of bootstrapping, key techniques, and how bootstrapping can help gain attention from investors.

Hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs get rejected by investors and accelerators every year. Y Combinator rejects over 98% of their applicants. Andreessen Horowitz rejects 99% of theirs. In this mind-boggling stream of rejections, there are numerous high potential companies that need to bootstrap their way to fundability or sustainability.

Sramana does not want entrepreneurs to waste their precious time and money. The waste stems from a widespread misunderstanding of how investors think. Over 99% of founders chase funding before they are fundable. Here, Sramana teaches how bootstrapping can help a startup reach that fundable stage. Once fundable, a startup can go to investors like a king, not a beggar.

What is bootstrapping? Bootstrapping means building a business without external financing. This differs from businesses funded by investors.

Nowadays, startups can be built while a founder is still fully employed. Many entrepreneurs start as solo founders and achieve great progress until they need a team. Virtual teams are common these days and easily affordable. Sramana encourages entrepreneurs not to quit their day job until their business becomes fundable or sustainable.

In a world battered by economic uncertainty, Sramana Mitra believes, entrepreneurship is the only sustainable path forward. And core to the success of these ventures is the art of bootstrapping.

The 1Mby1M courses are all heavily based on interview-based case studies on Innovation, Business Models, Go To Market Strategies, Validation Principles, and various other nuances of an entrepreneur's journey. We offer extensive opportunities for entrepreneurs to learn the lessons from the trenches from successful entrepreneurs who have done it before.