grow the company from that revenue base and then seek VC funding only if and when you really need it to scale.
Duo Security’s acquisition by Cisco last year for nearly $2.4 billion is the latest example of how successful the bootstrap model can be. Others in recent years include Cisco’s $635 million purchase of OpenDNS in 2015, and our own acquisition of PhishLine last year.
These are hard times for companies trying to defend themselves against cyberattack, but they’re also rich with exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs who have great ideas and the mindset, strategy, and technology to become a trusted partner. I wish them long-lasting success.
Photo of BJ Jenkins courtesy of Barracuda Networks
