How to Start a Startup With No Money (And Actually Make It Work)

How to Start a Startup With No Money (And Actually Make It Work) There's a myth that won't die: you need money to start a company. Venture capital, angel investors, a fat savings account. Pick your flavor of funding, but you need something in the bank before you can call yourself a founder. It's not true. And the data backs that up. According to the Kauffman Foundation, 83% of founders in the U.S. launched without any venture capital. Mailchimp ran for 20 years on zero outside funding before selling for $12 billion. Basecamp (now 37signals) has been profitable since day one. Spanx started with $5,000 in personal savings and no outside investors. So if you're sitting there with an idea and an empty bank account, you're not disqualified. You're actually in good company. Here's how to start a startup with no money, broken down into steps you can act on this week. What Does "No Money" Actually Mean for a Startup? It means you're not raising capital, not taking loans, and not burning throug