This question's been hovering in my head for a while now.
Since 2017, I've been an indie hacker. Learning to code, building a mobile app while working as a PM in the Bay Area, to eventually having a profitable, bootstrapped business.
Now my second startup's backed by YC and we've raised a seed round on SAFE. Technically, we haven't raised a price round. There's no board (other than myself as the solo founder). We do have employees but many of them are contractors and 100% of us working remotely.
So, can I still call myself an indie hacker? Do I still qualify?
What's SAFE?
Absolutely not. You're in YC.
I think @csallen wrote a post recently about how they'd like the indiehackers community to consider all types of entrepreneur, and not be limited to bootstrappers - but I can't find it! Maybe he will share the link for you :)
I'd say no, if you have employees and investors you're probably not an indie hacker. Doesn't mean you can't hang out here though!