This is the 9655th most frequent Japanese word.
自前
"Self-provided" or "own expense."
The word 自前 here refers to 'one's own,' emphasizing that the tools belong to and were personally provided by the subject.
彼は自前の道具を使って修理をした。
He repaired using his own tools.
自前 in this sentence signifies 'self-provided,' pointing to the fact that the funding was supplied by the individual's own resources.
自前の資金でプロジェクトを始めた。
The project was started with personal funding.
Here, 自前 indicates that the software was independently developed by the company itself.