Research

Exit Tools and Research for Bootstrapped Founders

Free calculators and original data on what founders actually keep: dilution, take-home at exit, and capital efficiency.

Tools

Interactive calculator

Bootstrapped vs VC Exit Calculator

See what founders actually take home at every funding stage, or enter your own ownership to model your exit. Based on Carta 2024-2025 dilution data.

Data & Reports

The $100M Exit: What Founders Take Home

At a $100M exit, bootstrapped founders keep $100M. After Series B, the founding team keeps $23M. The full breakdown.

The Funding Paradox: More Capital, Less Wealth

Mailchimp founders ($0 raised) are worth $5B each. Instacart's founder ($2.8B raised) is worth $1.3B. The scatter plot that explains why.

Revenue Per Employee: Bootstrapped vs Funded

Bootstrapped companies dominate efficiency rankings. Ahrefs generates $872K per employee with zero investors.

YC Graveyard vs Bootstrapped Survivors

YC companies that raised millions and failed, next to bootstrapped competitors that survived and thrived.