[jasode]

>, it's really important that the tech community define "bootstrapping" as [...] With TinySeed's round at "$120k for the first founder, $60k for the second, and $40k for the third" (https://tinyseed.com/program#program-faq) this is very much along those lines.

But when YC invested $120k for 7% equity, we typically didn't call all those startups like Dropbox/AirBNB etc "bootstrapped companies". And $180k for 2 founders is more than YC's previous terms.

>If one further gatekeeps the label with

It's unfair to call it "gatekeeping" rather than a case of confusing many readers with a headline that flips the meaning of "bootstrapping".

[btown]

You're eliding the most important part of the definition IMO: a plan to reach profitability with the initial investment alone. YC never expects its companies to become profitable with their investment alone, nor should it - it's designed for growth companies that will receive multiple rounds of funding over time!

[rkk3]

? I thought a major component of YC was getting to Default Alive & Ramen Profitability.