Alternate Funding Options for Bootstrapped SaaS Founders

Transcript

1. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
   T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
   Alternate Funding Options for Bootstrapped SaaS Founders
   Bootstrapping SaaS Track
   Tracy Osborn - TinySeed, Program Manager
   

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2. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
   T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
   Alternate Funding Options for
   Bootstrapped SaaS Founders
   Support options to defeat the Slow SaaS Ramp Of Death
   

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3. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
   T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
   Hi, I’m Tracy!
   @tracymakes
   

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4. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
   T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
   

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5. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
   T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
   

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6. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
   T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
   

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7. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
   T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
   Venture Capital
   vs.
   Bootstrapping
   the past
   

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8. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
   T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
   https://techcrunch.com/sponsor/lighter-capital/why-startup-ceos-are-turning-to-non-dilutive-debt-funding-to-fuel-growth/
   

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9. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
   T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
   Bootstrapping
   

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10. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Bootstrapping
    Founding and running a company using only
    personal finances or operating revenue.
    

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11. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Upsides:
    •You (and your cofounders) keep 100% ownership of the
    business.
    •Complete freedom to grow your business as you like it.
    

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12. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    “Don't get me wrong, there is nothing bad about being funded. Moreover, in some
    niches being funded is your only option - especially when you're inventing the niche.
    Meaning you have to market the problem first, and then your solution. Just consider
    this my own professional bias - I hate bosses. Even when they come in a
    "lightweight" form - as investors.
    Ages ago, when I was still working as a hired programmer, companies did not have
    fancy campuses, free smoothies and a remote work option. Instead we had dress
    code, toxic meetings, stupid managers, "corporate culture" and small salaries. All of
    this has developed a huge hostility towards bosses in me - any bosses.
    When you're self-funded your only boss is the client. The client is the only person
    you have to please. The client is the only person you have to report to.
    I do not want a "board". I do not want any strangers inside the company. I don't want
    to pitch anyone. I do not want to survive from one round to another. I do not want
    graphs, slides and "improving my presentation skills" - is this Hollywood or what?”
    Alex Yumashev
    Founder, Jitbit Software
    https://www.jitbit.com/alexblog/289-a-quick-note-on-being-self-funded/
    

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13. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Downsides:
    

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14. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Downsides:
    •Long Slow SaaS Ramp of Death™
    

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15. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    https://businessofsoftware.org/2013/02/gail-goodman-constant-contact-how-to-negotiate-the-long-slow-saas-ramp-of-death/
    

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16. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    CartHook
    

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17. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    CartHook
    27 months
    

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18. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Graphic via Rob Walling
    Drip
    13 months
    

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19. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Graphic via Rob Walling
    HubStaff
    12 months
    

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20. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Downsides:
    •Long Slow SaaS Ramp of Death™
    •Getting to product-market fit is slow; could be faster if you
    had another engineer, sales-person, etc. now.
    

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21. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Downsides:
    •Long Slow SaaS Ramp of Death™
    •Getting to product-market fit is slow; could be faster if you
    had another engineer, sales-person, etc. now.
    •Every year the landscape gets more competitive.
    

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22. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Downsides:
    •Long Slow SaaS Ramp of Death™
    •Getting to product-market fit is slow; could be faster if you
    had another engineer, sales-person, etc. now.
    •Every year the landscape gets more competitive.
    

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23. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    

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24. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Examples
    

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25. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes spanx.com
    

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26. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes basecamp.com
    

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27. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes balsamiq.com
    

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28. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes github.com
    

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29. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes behance.com
    

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30. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Venture Capital
    (“VC”)
    

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31. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Upsides:
    •Money to accelerate growth.
    •Built-in advisors.
    

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32. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Downsides:
    

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33. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
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    Downsides:
    •Once you’re on the VC track, it’s really hard to get off.
    

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34. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    https://techcrunch.com/sponsor/lighter-capital/why-startup-ceos-are-turning-to-non-dilutive-debt-funding-to-fuel-growth/
    

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35. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Downsides:
    •Once you’re on the VC track, it’s really hard to get off.
    •Losing board seats.
    

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36. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Downsides:
    •Once you’re on the VC track, it’s really hard to get off.
    •Losing board seats.
    •Pressure gets higher.
    

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37. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Downsides:
    •Once you’re on the VC track, it’s really hard to get off.
    •Losing board seats.
    •Pressure gets higher.
    •Investors could potentially block a sale.
    

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38. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Downsides:
    •Once you’re on the VC track, it’s really hard to get off.
    •Losing board seats.
    •Pressure gets higher.
    •Investors could potentially block a sale.
    •In general, discourages capital efficiency.
    

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39. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Founder-friendly
    V.C. investment terms are
    on the rise.
    

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40. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Founder-friendly
    V.C. investment terms are
    on the rise.
    Priced-rounds
    

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41. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Founder-friendly
    V.C. investment terms are
    on the rise.
    Priced-rounds Convertible notes
    

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42. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Founder-friendly
    V.C. investment terms are
    on the rise.
    Priced-rounds Convertible notes SAFEs
    

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43. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Venture Capital
    vs.
    Bootstrapping
    the past
    

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44. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Venture Capital
    vs.
    Bootstrapping
    the past
    

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45. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Venture Capital
    vs.
    Bootstrapping
    vs.
    Bootstrapped…ish
    now
    

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46. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Revenue-based financing
    first, let’s discuss
    

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47. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Revenue-based financing
    Provides upfront capital in exchange for a set
    percentage of future revenue.
    first, let’s discuss
    

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48. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    https://techcrunch.com/sponsor/lighter-capital/why-startup-ceos-are-turning-to-non-dilutive-debt-funding-to-fuel-growth/
    

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49. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Details:
    •Good for businesses with existing steady MRR
    (monthly recurring revenue.)
    •Limits dilution, as investors don’t receive equity.
    •Maturity usually 3-5 years.
    •Keeps the option option to sell the business in the near future.
    •You can continue to run the business for the long-term,
    or raise VC later.
    

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50. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Examples
    

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51. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes lightercapital.com
    

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52. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Details:
    •$15K MRR minimum
    •$50,000-$3,000,000 investment size.
    •Repaid over 3-5 years, payments ranging from 2-8% of your revenue.
    •Money returned is 1.35-2x.
    •Businesses need a clear path to profitability.
    •US and Canada only.
    

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53. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    bigfootcap.com
    

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54. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Details:
    •$1-10M ARR (annual recurring revenue) businesses.
    •$100,000-$1,500,000 investment size.
    •At least 12 months of customer history – generally 10+ enterprise
    customers or 100+ SMB customers.
    •Bootstrapped or lightly capitalized – i.e., not multiple rounds of prior
    financings.
    

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55. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    pickandshovel.ventures
    

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56. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes riversaascapital.com
    

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57. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes stripe.com/capital
    

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58. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Details:
    •Invests smaller amounts, but your business can be a lot
    smaller to apply.
    •Upfront fee (10% of loan amount.)
    •Pay through Stripe a percentage of your sales.
    

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59. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Bank loans and debt
    financing
    

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60. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Details:
    •Loans based on revenue, but may come with performance
    requirements and an equity component. They also traditionally
    require a personal guarantee (your house, etc.)
    •Regular payments required, rather than based on the health of your
    business (revenue-based means months where there are no profits, no
    payments made; debt still requires them.)
    •Not generally recommended.
    

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61. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Crowdfunding?
    

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62. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Crowdfunding?
    Better/easier for products than for SaaS, and
    probably near impossible if you’re not B2C.
    Better/easier for products than for SaaS, and probably near impossible if you’re not B2C.
    

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63. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Early-stage bootstrapper
    funds and accelerators
    

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64. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    No board
    No controlling interest
    Dividends are an option (exit ok, too)
    LLCs and C-Corps
    Future rounds ok, not required
    Healthy/sustainable growth
    Not necessarily U.S. only
    “Alternative”
    

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65. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    indie.vc
    

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66. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Details:
    •Funding for simulated equity.
    •Payback starts on a schedule, % of topline revenue
    •Once paid back 3x, equity bought down to 10% of original.
    •If company sells, converts to real equity.
    •Average MRR in the $25k range at funding.
    •Specific application periods.
    

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67. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    https://techcrunch.com/sponsor/lighter-capital/why-startup-ceos-are-turning-to-non-dilutive-debt-funding-to-fuel-growth/
    

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68. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes https://github.com/indievc/terms
    

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69. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    earnestcapital.com
    

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70. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Details:
    •No board seat but can be a board observer.
    •Takes equity.
    •No revenue requirement.
    •You pay back 3-5x what was invested in your business (if you’re taking
    $200,000 in investment, may need to repay $1M.)
    •Equity scales down as investment is paid back (but has a limit.)
    

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71. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    tinyseed.com
    

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72. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Details:
    •1 year remote accelerator/investment
    •Specific focus on B2B SaaS businesses.
    •Invest $120k-$200k per company for equity.
    •Paid back via dividends (not topline revenue) or an exit.
    •Founders have a salary cap, anything over is a dividend.
    •Fund gets paid when founders get paid.
    •No board seat.
    

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73. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Details cont:
    •Typical MRR is $2k-$20K.
    •No repurchasing back of shares.
    •Generally US LLCs or C-Corps (founders don’t need to be in the US),
    expanded in the last batch.
    •Application rounds, but there is a form for submissions outside the
    application period with higher requirements.
    

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74. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    https://medium.com/swlh/alternative-funding-calculus-a-quant-comparison-of-tiny-indie-and-earnest-8d61d35d5ad5
    

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75. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    

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76. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    “Capital is a tool”
    

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77. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Thank you! Chat with me online:
    @tracymakes
    

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78. BOU LDER STARTU P W EEK
    T RAC Y O S B OR N @tracymakes
    Thank you! Chat with me online:
    @tracymakes
    Any questions?
    

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