The team and supporting infrastructure (investors, connections, expertise) has to be undeniably great. The team has to be so great the specific idea almost does

The team and supporting infrastructure (investors, connections, expertise) has to be undeniably great. The team has to be so great the specific idea almost doesn't even matter. And as a potential startup employee, I'm only looking to work on companies that are trying to achieve multi-billion $ outcomes. I can't afford to work at your family business. It needs to go public or have inherent value to achieve a valuable acquisition. I'm not here to support your dream of running a small business. When I accept a job at a startup, I am forgoing guaranteed $300-500k a year comp at a public large or mid-size company so you have to make it worth my time to take on risk.