[capableweb]

> So. On your own is just “VC’ed yourself”

Precisely. If TinySeed has provided funds, it's no longer "VC'ed yourself", it's "VC'ed yourself + tiny seed from TinySeed".

> Taking money from TinySeed is very different than taking money from VC.

No one is arguing that TinySeed is just like any other VC. But instead that by accepting VC, you could no longer claim the business to be bootstrapped.

[BBC-vs-neolibs]

So if I start with $1M of my own money, is it bootstrapped?

If family (with fuzzy conditions) ponied up $250k, is it bootstrapped?

[Bjartr]

$1M of your money? Yes

$250k from immediate family, if said fuzzy conditions don't confer any ownership or repayment? I'd say just barely yes (it's basically a gift to you at that point, which is then your money)

$250k from a third cousin in return for equity? No.

Being bootstrapped isn't an ungameable category, but it is a fairly unambiguous one IMO.