> I thought the typical goal of hackers and startups was to "change the world" and "make a difference". That sounds like the goal of a non-profit, not a startu

> I thought the typical goal of hackers and startups was to "change the world" and "make a difference". That sounds like the goal of a non-profit, not a startup. What a founder says at a TED talk (which I admit can often sound like the former) shouldn't be conflated with the nuts and bolt conversations they have with their closest lieutenants and investors. Assuming we mean venture funded by "startup" the definition has always been growth oriented, highly risky and innovative through disruption. > It's also kind of indicative of how small startup ambitions have become. Acquisition has become a measure of success, not failure. Really? I'm surprised you think that acquisition is either a measure of success or failure in a vacuum. Wouldn't the terms and the specific deal be important than how a company exits? After all, there's a world of difference between an acquihire and a strategic merger.