Bootstrapping is a term used in business to describe the process of starting a business without external funding. Some synonyms for the word bootstrapping include self-funding, self-sustaining, self-sufficient, self-reliant, self-generated, and self-supporting. Other related terms include lean startup, which is a method of starting a business with minimal resources, and sustainable growth, which is a strategy for building a business that is built to last. Whatever term is used to describe it, bootstrapping is an essential part of entrepreneurship, allowing founders to build their businesses from the ground up and achieve success on their own terms.