Bootstrapping in the startup world: the journey of the Hundeo app

There's an oft-repeated narrative in the startup world: In the beginning, there's a great idea that you pitch to investors. After a financial injection, they then scale up as quickly as possible. But does this approach really fit every business model and every founder? Can this path also work in an industry like the pet sector, where customer trust is not only a secondary consideration, but the foundation for everything?

Why I chose bootstrapping

When I founded Hundeo, I was faced with exactly this question. I had a clear vision: to create a platform based on user trust and satisfaction. But how was I going to finance it? I had the option of bringing investors on board, but I knew that this path could force me to make compromises I didn't want to make.

The decision to fund Hundeo through bootstrapping was complex and involved trade-offs. On one hand, I gave up the financial security and additional resources that investors could have provided. In addition, I had to accept a slower growth rate. On the other hand, it gave me the independence to pursue my vision for the company without external influences.

Financial challenges arose immediately. Especially in app development, costs can rise quickly, and special projects like creating professional learning videos with experts required additional funding. In this situation, it was critical to carefully consider every financial decision. Despite these difficulties, I retained full decision-making authority over funding and was able to solidify Hundeo's long-term focus.

The priceless benefits of bootstrapping.

This financial discipline also has its benefits. It forces me to be creative, work efficiently, and really understand every aspect of the business. It also gives me the opportunity to work closely with our early adopters. Their feedback can thus be taken individually and adjusted accordingly in our app. This close relationship with users is proving invaluable. In an industry where animal welfare is paramount, customer trust is everything.

The role of the team in the bootstrapping process

An often overlooked aspect of bootstrapping is the importance of a dedicated team. Without the support of investors on financial as well as business issues, a dedicated team is essential. This team must believe in the vision of the company and be willing to put in the extra effort that bootstrapping entails. At Hundeo, I have been fortunate to find employees who have walked this path with me and played a critical role in its success. Especially in difficult times, our startup is sustained by their dedication.

A final thought for aspiring founders

So, the bootstrapping approach needs to be customized depending on the business model and intention, and most importantly, it needs to be well considered. It is not for everyone and comes with its own challenges. But with a clear vision and a willingness to grow incrementally, it gives the freedom to shape the business according to your own rules. Bootstrapping, to me, is more than just a financing option: it's a way of running a business, it requires patience, discipline and a strong customer focus. But when it succeeds, bootstrapping opens up a rare form of entrepreneurship in the fast-paced startup world: the opportunity to create a sustainable and values-based business that cultivates a deep connection with its customers. And that, in the end, is priceless.

About Enrico Bachmann & Hundeo

Enrico Bachmann is a book author and founder. Hundeo is a company that specializes in dog training and care. Founded in 2017 by Enrico Bachmann, Hundeo offers a mobile app that gives dog owners a convenient way to train their dogs. The app has features for training reminders and uses gamification to keep them motivated. With more than 400,000 downloads and an average rating of 4.6 with over 1,500 reviews, the app has received positive feedback from dog owners. Hundeo's vision is to help dog owners worldwide with dog training and to offer the app in different languages to appeal to a wide audience.

Links to the Hundeo app, social media appearances and the latest news about the company can be found on its Hundeo launch base profile.