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I've read the original article, and (as with lots of YC/PG stuff) it mostly applies to a certain type of startups. Yes, you probably won't have a billion $ "exi

by mhd 16y ago

I've read the original article, and (as with lots of YC/PG stuff) it mostly applies to a certain type of startups. Yes, you probably won't have a billion $ "exit strategy" if you start your bootstrapped small-time business as a single founder in Podunk. But I don't see a reason why every entrepreneur should aim to be the next Oracle, Google or Facebook. You can always be the equivalent to your local small time business or even Mom & Pop shop. I'm a bit disappointed with the widespread use of the "Think Big!" philosophy, especially when it's presented as the only way. (And no, I don't even think that PG sees this as the only way. I'm just noting a certain bias I often see when the word "startup" gets tossed around.) Never even mind the US centrism of that mindset…

deleted 16y ago
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mlinsey 16y ago
I think GinzaMetrics is aiming to be pretty big! YC doesn't fund companies aiming to be "Mom and Pop shops". Even the ones which seem that small when they launch* are just launching with a minimum viable product and definitely have bigger ambitions. *I wouldn't out GinzaMetrics in this category either, it's already impressive.
skowmunk 16y ago
There is nothing wrong with wanting to be a small set up if one is comfortable with that set up. But if the idea of somebody who wants to keep it small is really good, even if he wants to keep it small there may be soon competitors who are ready to copy the idea, put more money and send the small shop to kingdom come. Sometimes, nay, I change it to every time (especially in the tech industry) size is the best defense against competition (Actually it is size and what advantages it brings along with it) For a company with a really good idea, if it does not grow really fast enough, it soon becomes blood for the sharks, not the future shark. Thats the beautiful thing about Google, they so quickly executed the finance aspects (book building IPO), the people aspects (freedom to experiment and generate ideas, free food) and the monetizing aspects (search based ads) of their business, to enable them to keep growing at a breath taking speed. If it hadn't and just kept growing at an attractive pace, but not a furious pace, they would have been bought of by some other tech biggie or attracted more serious competition long back. And whats wrong with the adage "Aim for the stars and you can at least fall on the moon" (or something like that)

by mhd 16y ago

deleted 16y ago

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mlinsey 16y ago

I think GinzaMetrics is aiming to be pretty big! YC doesn't fund companies aiming to be "Mom and Pop shops". Even the ones which seem that small when they launch* are just launching with a minimum viable product and definitely have bigger ambitions. *I wouldn't out GinzaMetrics in this category either, it's already impressive.

skowmunk 16y ago

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be a small set up if one is comfortable with that set up. But if the idea of somebody who wants to keep it small is really good, even if he wants to keep it small there may be soon competitors who are ready to copy the idea, put more money and send the small shop to kingdom come. Sometimes, nay, I change it to every time (especially in the tech industry) size is the best defense against competition (Actually it is size and what advantages it brings along with it) For a company with a really good idea, if it does not grow really fast enough, it soon becomes blood for the sharks, not the future shark. Thats the beautiful thing about Google, they so quickly executed the finance aspects (book building IPO), the people aspects (freedom to experiment and generate ideas, free food) and the monetizing aspects (search based ads) of their business, to enable them to keep growing at a breath taking speed. If it hadn't and just kept growing at an attractive pace, but not a furious pace, they would have been bought of by some other tech biggie or attracted more serious competition long back. And whats wrong with the adage "Aim for the stars and you can at least fall on the moon" (or something like that)