The traditional startup narrative often paints a picture of raising millions in venture capital, building a massive team, and aiming for a billion-dollar valuation.
But what if there was another way?
Enter the indie hacker.
An indie hacker is an individual or a small team that creates and runs independent software products, businesses, or projects. Instead of seeking large-scale funding, they often bootstrap their ventures, relying on personal savings or early revenue to grow.
Their focus isn't on hypergrowth, but on building a sustainable, profitable business while maintaining control, flexibility, and creative freedom.
The term "indie" is key, it reflects a core ethos of independence, creating products on one’s own terms without the pressures or compromises often associated with venture capital or corporate oversight.
Indie hackers operate with a distinct philosophy.
They are: