Bootstrapping vs. Fundraising: A Fireside Chat with 2x Founder Daniel Haven

Seasoned entrepreneur Daniel Haven has successfully exited two startups: one bootstrapped and one venture-backed.

He was a first-time founder when he bootstrapped ProctorExam to nearly $10 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) and $1.5 million in profitability. ProctorExam was acquired by Turnitin in 2021. His next venture was Slauth.io, a Y Combinator-backed cybersecurity startup that was acquired by Arkinfotech.com in 2023.

In a fireside chat with Founders Network Founder and CEO Kevin Holmes on October 3, Daniel will discuss the unique challenges of both bootstrapped and venture-backed startups, including managing cash flow, scaling operations, and building a sustainable business model. He will explore how funding sources influenced company culture and operational strategies, and the impact of financial pressure on team dynamics and decision-making processes.

Opening Remarks @ 9:00am PT

Join us for opening remarks with Dina Fattom, Member Success Manager at Founders Network, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved.

Keynote Speaker @ 9:10am PT

Daniel Haven is a seasoned serial entrepreneur with a track record of founding and successfully exiting two startups over the past decade. He founded ProctorExam.com, a bootstrapped EdTech startup, which was acquired by Turnitin.com in 2021. His second venture, Slauth.io, a Y Combinator-backed cybersecurity startup, was acquired by Arkinfotech.com in 2023. With experience spanning industries from EdTech to Cybersecurity and a market presence in the US, Europe, and the MENA region, Daniel offers valuable insights and expertise to new founders navigating the startup landscape.

Stage-Based Roundtables @ 10:00am PT

Complimentary Ticket:

Are you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership.

About Founders Network:

Founded in 2011, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here

Confidentiality Policy

All information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors, members, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity, Humility, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.