Instigator Blog - Latest Comments in What Does Your Brain on Funding Look Like?

Re: What Does Your Brain on Funding Look Like?

Ben Yoskovitz — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 23:42:50 -0000

Raza - there's no question that "creativity loves constraints" but used properly funding can be of huge value. The problem with getting funding is that it makes it a lot easier to spend money. It's tougher to stay constrained and be more strategic. But it's not impossible.

And one of the biggest challenges of bootstrapping is being perpetually under-capitalized. So there are pros and cons all around. At the end of the day it's not as much an issue of funding vs. bootstrapping, it's about successful execution. If you can't execute effectively you're in big trouble no matter what.

Re: What Does Your Brain on Funding Look Like?

Raza Imam — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:49:28 -0000

Bootstrappers are smart. We are creators, innovators, and differentiators.

Sure, bootstrapping isn't realistic for every business. In fact many need to raise outside funding. Bootstrappers are the Navy SEALs being dropped in hostile territory with little more than a knife and a gun. It's life or death. Funded companies are the Air Force dropping bombs from 30,000 feet in the sky.

Innovative companies will tell you your best work comes when you have few resources.

Raza Imam
http://www.BoycottSoftwareS...

Re: What Does Your Brain on Funding Look Like?

Viv — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 10:08:32 -0000

Certainly gives new meaning to the term"egghead" or "ego"

Re: What Does Your Brain on Funding Look Like?

Becky McCray — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 22:42:38 -0000

Love the graphics, Ben!

"And then your head explodes." Love it!!

Re: What Does Your Brain on Funding Look Like?

LPS — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 05:56:22 -0000

Interesting photographs. Raising money is like a pressure cooker with your brain in it.

Re: What Does Your Brain on Funding Look Like?

Advice Network — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 03:32:43 -0000

You have summarized in a few quick photos, why I am bootstrapping my company.

There is a missing photo, and it's titled "this is your brain, if you got funding, and the company is doing well" and it's a picture of a hard boiled egg, and someone (not you) is scooping out the best part with a spoon.

Re: What Does Your Brain on Funding Look Like?

Peter — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 23:54:41 -0000

Very funny. You a Bill Hicks fan?

Re: What Does Your Brain on Funding Look Like?

Ben Yoskovitz — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 23:16:51 -0000

@Des: Thanks for the comment. Certainly the eggs didn't come from a seminar! Although that would make for one interesting seminar.

As much as it would be interesting to describe things from a 1st person context with specific stories, it's not really possible. I do end the post on a personal note, which hopefully makes it clear that much / all of this is my own thoughts from my own experience.

Re: What Does Your Brain on Funding Look Like?

Des Walsh — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 23:12:07 -0000

Ben
I get it, as far as you've gone. What would make it more interesting for me is some first person narrative. I *think* this is from your experience, but for someone who has had no contact with you previously this (concepts, text, not so much the eggstremely cute grapheggs)could have come from notes from a seminar. Do you have a personal story you want to share? Now? Later?

Re: What Does Your Brain on Funding Look Like?

David Finch — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:44:57 -0000

Ben, right on! Gutting through the rejection after one pitch after another, always shows you something new about yourself, your product and others.

Great post!!

Re: What Does Your Brain on Funding Look Like?

Download Music — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:48:52 -0000

Yes, you go through all these stages of lunacy and comes the day that you are off and running. Brother, your troubles start almost immediately. The blokes who funded you want in, want you to sell out and become their employee or expect you to buy them off and so on and so forth. You must prepare all these unsuspecting entrepreneurs about some of these post operational madness too!