[cellis]

I mean, the alternative is to grind out an eking existence on nights and weekends until you're bootstrap profitable and then a "Chosen One" gets funding, or a FAANG comes along and eats your little niche for breakfast...the motivation for raising funding comes from survival instincts.

[dreyfan]

Absolutely, fundraising is often necessary. The problem is when it becomes the hallmark of success instead of simply a means to an end.