Explore the strategies for building a successful open source company without relying on venture capital in this insightful conference talk. Discover the advantages and challenges of customer funding and bootstrapping, including increased flexibility, control, and scalability limitations. Learn how to leverage the power of open source communities, attract and retain customers, and generate sustainable revenue streams. Gain valuable insights from Ann Schlemmer's experience leading a customer-funded and bootstrapped business, and understand the trade-offs between this approach and seeking outside capital. Ideal for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and those interested in alternative funding models for open source startups, this presentation provides actionable steps and a comprehensive understanding of bootstrapping strategies in the open source industry.