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Use of financial bootstrapping in new businesses: a question of last resort?

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  • Joakim Winborg

Abstract

This study examines motives for using financial bootstrapping in new businesses. First, it identifies and labels groups of new business founders based on their motives for using bootstrapping. Second, it examines the relation between variables referring to the founder and the business and the motives. The data were collected in a questionnaire sent by post to 120 new business founders in Swedish business incubators. The results show that ‘lower costs’ is the most important motive, followed by ‘lack of capital’, and, surprisingly, ‘fun helping others and getting help from others’. On the basis of a cluster analysis three groups of founders were identified, based on differences in their motives for using bootstrapping. The groups were labeled cost-reducing bootstrappers, capital-constrained bootstrappers and risk-reducing bootstrappers. The relative experience of the founder is the most significant influence for using bootstrapping. As experience is gained the new business founder learns more about the advantages and motives for using bootstrapping. The resource acquisition behavior changes from initially focusing on reducing costs towards a proactive focus on reducing the risk in the business.

Suggested Citation

  • Joakim Winborg, 2008. "Use of financial bootstrapping in new businesses: a question of last resort?," Venture Capital, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(1), pages 71-83, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:veecee:v:11:y:2008:i:1:p:71-83
    DOI: 10.1080/13691060802351248
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Candida G. Brush & Nancy M. Carter & Elizabeth J. Gatewood & Patricia G. Greene & Myra M. Hart, 2006. "The use of bootstrapping by women entrepreneurs in positioning for growth," Venture Capital, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(1), pages 15-31, October.
    2. Ebben, Jay & Johnson, Alec, 2006. "Bootstrapping in small firms: An empirical analysis of change over time," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 21(6), pages 851-865, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ik MUO & Moruff Sanjo OLADIMEJI & O. I. OKUNBADEJO, 2020. "Financial Bootstrapping and Small Business Growth in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria," Business & Management Compass, University of Economics Varna, issue 2, pages 198-213.

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