Unfortunately failing to build a billion dollar company often means ending up with a $0 company. Like the OP said, VC too often comes with the pressure to eithe

Unfortunately failing to build a billion dollar company often means ending up with a $0 company. Like the OP said, VC too often comes with the pressure to either succeed in a big way or pack everything up and go home. And when your liquidation preferences are greater than the current value of your company, as a founder it's not very compelling to keep moving forward.