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> already had a trust-fund or come from a wealthy background so they can spend all of their time writing, painting, or engineering Being from a wealthy backgro
by rmc 11y ago
> already had a trust-fund or come from a wealthy background so they can spend all of their time writing, painting, or engineering
Being from a wealthy background also benefits the startup because you or your family probably "know people" who can help.
- Retric 11y agoMicrosoft's early story looks a little different when you realize Bill Gate's mother just happens to know IBM's CEO.
- zepto 11y agoThat, plus Bill had a trust fund big enough not to have needed to work, so quitting Harvard was no risk at all for him.
- sliverstorm 11y agoWell, it isn't rags-to-riches but it's still very impressive. IBM's CEO knew a lot of people, not just Gate's mother.
- rchaud 11y agoThey served together on the board of United Way; they weren't just random acquaintances. The social proof conditions necessary for Bill and Paul Allen to make their pitch to him had been satisfied both through their parents' credentials, social connections and the fact that they both went to Harvard. Not to take anything away from Gates' technical skills and business savvy. But this goes to the crux of a lot of startup stories. It could all have been very different if even one of those 'background variables' had been different and the meeting with IBM never happened.
- rmc 11y agoIBM's CEO might know a lot of people. But a lot of software founders don't know IBM's CEO.