I can explain in under 200 words how to bring a lot more bright people into technology startups. The following program, sponsored by VCs: VC firm takes you on

I can explain in under 200 words how to bring a lot more bright people into technology startups. The following program, sponsored by VCs: VC firm takes you on as a protege. You don't know anything; you're not expected to. There's no guarantee of funding, although the door is open, and you draw a meager stipend (if needed) rather than a salary. You work for startups for the next 7+ years, possibly in the VC firm's portfolio companies, possibly elsewhere. At the end of the 7-year period, you choose between (1) partnership in the firm as a businessman, (2) the same but as EIR, or (3) to remain in startups as a serial entrepreneur. You spend a day per month at the VC firm, shadowing senior partners, but most of your time you spend with your head down coding. I would have loved to have had such an opportunity coming out of school, and would have easily been one of the few most qualified applicants in the country... but this program didn't exist when I was 23 and, as far as I know, still doesn't. VC firms out there need to make this happen for the next generation of young people.