I spose there are differences between 'pure' bootstrapping and raising 17m but saying you're still bootstrapping. Firstly,this guy has experience 'truly' bootstrapping, so I see no reason do doubt his word, but if this is your first try and you raise money promising to bootstrap, you may still end up with wildly different spending patterns to a true bootstrapper. Secondly, they will have given up a lot of equity, and perhaps board seats, for all that money, unlike a true bootstrapper; that shift in control dynamics may, again, be a significant difference. So don't assume that this article means big money'll make no negative difference to how a business is run if you 'say' you're going to stick to bootstrapping, versus the true bootstrapping route. (it may well be that the positives outweigh the negatives)