[nakkiel]

Every time the 37signals topic ends up on the table, people talk about how they went against the flow, how they are not running on huge funding round and basically how they are an exception.

Let me get this straight. Huge funding rounds is the exception. Startup is the exception.

I work on OpenSource stuff everyday, get to play with the same technology as the next startup guy and I'm very proud of calling my company (ie. the one I work for) a Company. I'm proud and happy to have the chance to participate in growing this company and our technology and it's a battle of every contract.

There are millions of us.

[brudgers]

I think there is some validity to the idea that 37Signals went against the flow, though I agree that bootstrapping and substantial founder ownership and only minor outside funding is not remarkable in the world of business.

What is somewhat against the flow is the degree to which 37signals pivoted and the degree to which its founders continue to influence the conversation regarding software via their writings and other public communications.