Tell me more ×
Answers OnStartups is a question and answer site for entrepreneurs looking to start or run a new business. It's 100% free, no registration required.

Does anyone know of any Debt Free startups. Am wanting to ask a few questions of them since I am looking to start a company, but hate debt since it clouds my judgment. I am wanting to learn from startups that started debt free and have stayed that way.

I hope this is an okay question to ask here.

share|improve this question

5 Answers

Avoiding debt is a pretty simple formula, have income greater than your expenses. To do so means you will have to do one or more of the following though.

  1. Have a startup that makes money immediately (difficult)
  2. Have the startup perform additional work such as consulting to pay for your main game
  3. Work on it only on your spare time on a shoestring while working a normal job
share|improve this answer
Definitely an easy formula, but hard at the same time since not a lot of people do it. I want to know their experiences. – percent20 Sep 24 '10 at 4:20
Totally agree (I'm doing #3 and am profitable since year 2 of the company) – Nir Sep 26 '10 at 15:51
1  
Or take outside money as investment. – TimJ Dec 12 '10 at 3:44

My company has been in business since 2002 and has been profitable every year with no debt. I started off consulting while at the same time building a product, getting contacts in the industry and growing the customer base. As our software matured and the revenues grew, I slowly phased out consulting work.

We are a tiny firm (4 employees) but I like it that way and we do okay revenue-wise. Like you I am very debt averse and don't like outside investors (or partners) telling me what to do and diluting my equity. It is a much slower way to grow your company and requires lots of patience (and luck).

share|improve this answer
Being successful with outside investing take luck too! – rbwhitaker Feb 6 '12 at 22:37

ROb Walling has written a book and loads of articles on boot-strapping business. His blog at http://www.softwarebyrob.com/ is well worth a look.

share|improve this answer

I have just started a blog for companies who want to be debt free. Check it out and help start the community.

share|improve this answer
1  
Where is this blog? – Ape-inago Dec 12 '10 at 7:12

Talk to Jason Cohen about how he did it with his previous startup (Smart Bear).

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.