> The FAANG/MANGA -> Startup pipeline is a good one. Learn all the technical skills and the lay of the land in a great environment, build strong connections, sa

> The FAANG/MANGA -> Startup pipeline is a good one. Learn all the technical skills and the lay of the land in a great environment, build strong connections, save up some cash, then leverage them to succeed in your own interests. That's not exactly that story here though. He joined MS when it was more of a (late stage) startup, not a mega-conglomerate it is today. Also, he stayed there for a looong time - 13 years. Thirdly, seeing how he joined MS in 1983 and left in 1996, he almost certainly was already rich and set for life from the MS stock when founding Valve.