Founders: Venture capital is a resource, not a requirement.

But most never stop to question it.

Founders assume fundraising is just... the next step.

Without realizing what they’re actually signing up for:

→ The never-ending raise > grow > raise loop

→ A company that’s always one missed quarter from existential risk

→ No room to slow down when the market shifts

→ No room to speed up if you’re stuck in “survival mode”

→ A playbook that optimizes for exits, not durability

VC can absolutely work.

But you should choose it -- not default into it.

Take HighRadius.

They bootstrapped for 11 years.

Built a profitable, growing business.

And then — when they saw a big opportunity — they made the decision to raise, so they could move faster.

———

More founders should follow this playbook and play the long game.

But instead, they all think they are the 18-month wonders that can become a unicorn before the next raise.