Should I raise a seed round or bootstrap?
I have a full-time job and started a company on the side.
I’ve built an MVP and onboarded a few cofounding customers, including a well-known brand and several agencies.
We’ve validated the market and confirmed that the product solves a real problem.
Now I’m trying to decide whether I should raise a seed round or continue bootstrapping.
I’m hesitant to raise because I’m worried investors may expect me to leave my job and go full-time. I’m currently the only person in my household with an income, so quitting isn’t really an option unless I have enough financial security.
Would it make more sense to keep my job, bootstrap the company, and grow it gradually? Or is there a way to raise a seed round while continuing to work until the business can support me?
For founders who’ve been in a similar situation, what did you do, and what would you recommend?