I think there are lots of ways to go about startups and only some subset qualify as the yegg's "startup career path." Which is to say, there are a fair number o

I think there are lots of ways to go about startups and only some subset qualify as the yegg's "startup career path." Which is to say, there are a fair number of things that are startups and can be done with a couple coders and some ramen over a couple months -- often not evening needing a "marketing" guru -- while there are lots of other problems which require more specialized domain knowledge (either with respect to technology, market, or both). In this case, what you need to succeed depends largely on having the right set of skills to succeed within your specific domain, assuming you have one. I'm generally of the opinion that there is much lower risk in these areas (assuming you know your market well) since presumably all you have to do is match an existing need with a product, the primary barrier being your competence. How do you acquire the skills necessary? This too depends on which side of the ball you are on. Larger startups need people in different roles. Rather than getting in on a little startup and being part-time coder, part-time cleaner, part-time ramen cook, get out in the would and be the most excellent in whatever facet you excel in. Heck, you may decide that making the world a better place in whatever capacity you are best at (usually also what you enjoy) you is better than attempting getting superrich and retiring at 30. In other words, my advice to all "startup" people out there is do what makes you tick, do it as best as you can, and let your startup, if it arises meet a need that you know is real. This may be a problem that people don't realize is a problem (like limited and often unintuitive course management software) or it may be something bigger and better that only a few people will understand (e.g. a cure for Multiple Sclerosis). Anyways, I've nothing against serial entrepreneurs if that's what makes you tick. More important though is do what you love.