Purpose: The aim of this thesis is to investigate various forms of bootstrapping methods amongst small business ventures and how they come about using the various forms. Furthermore, the thesis investigates the underlying motives as to why small business ventures adhere to certain forms of financial bootstrapping methods. The result of the research provides better understanding of small business ventures behaviors’ during various stages of their venture life cycle.

Methodology: The method used in this study, is a combination of both quantitative and qualitative analysis. The quantitative results are implied to better reflect the qualitative results which intend to strengthen the thesis validity. One of the limitation of the study that is solely focus on small business ventures that have used one or more bootstrapping techniques during the lifecycle of the small business venture. This study is consisted of semi structured interviews and surveys. The semi structured interviews consist of six interviews. Furthermore, surveys were sent out to 300 small business ventures. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical references used touch upon relevant theories regarding the financial gap that is created by the existing information asymmetry, the pecking order theory, financial bootstrapping as well as discussing the various phases of a small business ventures lifecycle. Lastly the thesis will discuss research that has been conducted in the area of small business ventures that have used financial bootstrapping as a method of gaining financial means.

Result: The empirical findings of this thesis is in regard to the information gathered. This is closely related to the conducted semi-structured interviews as well as the survey poll conducted that received a total of 122 results of the 300 sent out to various people.

Conclusion: The thesis can conclude that the choice of bootstrapping method is dependent on various aspects such as; the branch the venture is active in, current stage of a business ventures lifecycle. As well as certain aspects of a bootstrapping’s characteristic that makes it more desirable to use.