Strategic bootstrapping

This book is about helping entrepreneurs sift through the 'noise' regarding bootstrapping to craft an informed strategy for successfully navigating the beginning period of a firm's existence. The book is a theory-driven, evidence-based look at bootstrapping, defined as: 'highly creative ways of acquiring the use of resources without borrowing money or raising equity financing from traditional sources' (Freear, Sohl, & Wetzel , 1995). In this era of lean startups, effectuation, and bricolage; bootstrapping is oft romanticized, but seldom analyzed. The evidence, while admittedly still in infancy, is compelling: bootstrapping is a non-ideal state.. So, practically speaking, an entrepreneur should avoid bootstrapping; however, realistically, most entrepreneurs will need to engage in some form of bootstrapping. The argument then, importantly, shifts to: how should one bootstrap? This book on 'strategic bootstrapping' outlines methods for bootstrapping with the goal of ceasing bootstrapping activities. This includes a highlighting of the useful aspects of bootstrapping, effectuation, and bricolage. It will attempt to provide the cold-hard facts on bootstrapping; it will outline how to minimize time in bootstrapping mode; and it will report--from research--best practices in bootstrapping. Without this more strategic stance on bootstrapping, an entrepreneur will likely never exit this bootstrapped configuration This book is about helping entrepreneurs sift through the "noise" regarding bootstrapping a start-up. Ultimately, the cold-hard facts on bootstrapping will be presented. Practically speaking, most entrepreneurs should avoid bootstrapping. However, realistically, most entrepreneurs will need to engage in some form of bootstrapping. The argument then, importantly, shifts to how should one bootstrap? In this era of lean start-ups, effectuation, and bricolage, bootstrapping is oft romanticized but seldom analyzed. This book is different from other bootstrapping books in two key ways. First, it draws on evidence from scientific study to offer best practices. Second, it utilizes this evidence to help entrepreneurs thrive-- not just survive Strategic Bootstrapping is about helping entrepreneurs sift through the “noise” regarding bootstrapping a start-up. The cold-hard facts on bootstrapping are presented. Practically speaking, most entrepreneurs should avoid bootstrapping, realistically, most entrepreneurs will need to engage in some form of bootstrapping. The argument then shifts to how should one bootstrap? In this era of lean start-ups, effectuation, and bricolage, bootstrapping is oft romanticized but seldom analyzed. This book is different from other bootstrapping books in two key ways. First, it draws on evidence from scienti c study to offer best practices. Second, it utilizes this evidence to help en-trepreneurs thrive—not just survive. Strategic Bootstrapping is about helping entrepreneurs sift through the “noise” regarding bootstrapping a start-up. The cold-hard facts on bootstrapping are presented. Practically speaking, most entrepreneurs should avoid bootstrapping, realistically, most entrepreneurs will need to engage in some form of bootstrapping. The argument then shifts to how should one bootstrap? In this era of lean start-ups, effectuation, and bricolage, bootstrapping is oft romanticized but seldom analyzed. This book is different from other bootstrapping books in two key ways. First, it draws on evidence from scienti c study to offer best practices. Second, it utilizes this evidence to help en- trepreneurs thrive—not just survive. Content: 1. Bootstrapping described -- 2. Bootstrapping and the problem of being new -- 3. New venture finance considerations for the bootstrapper -- 4. Financial bootstrapping -- 5. Bootstrap strategically -- 6. Typologies for strategic bootstrapping success -- References -- Index. A book about helping entrepreneurs sift through the 'noise' regarding bootstrapping to craft an informed strategy for successfully navigating the beginning period of a firm's existence. The book is a theory-driven, evidence-based look at bootstrapping.