You innovate. You deliver a similar solution in a simpler “good enough” way (rebar). Or solve something cumbersome (stripe), or create new markets (invision, Netflix)
Stripe raised $245M. Netflix raised 3.1B. invision too raised significant funds. and rebar isn't about a demand side business, it's a better supply side business.
The ultimate trade-off made between self-funding and raising outside capital is how much you can invest in growth at an accelerated rate. Unless you have a pre-existing brand you can tap into (like Kyle with her cosmetics or Clooney with his Tequila), it's nearly impossible...though some companies have done it. But, even with outside funding, outsized success is still rather difficult to achieve, so it's a matter of personal preference what route you go down at the end of the day.
