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Startups are just so much work. You need some help. For example, if you have two founders, then one can go out and do fundraising for a month while the other k

Startups are just so much work. You need some help. For example, if you have two founders, then one can go out and do fundraising for a month while the other keeps the company running. If you had only one founder, you'd be dead in the water for that month. (Even if you have employees -- things are going to decay if all of the founders are distracted.) Also, I've never known YC to play founders against each other.

abbasmehdi 15y ago
Great point, I'd also add emotional support in the darkest hours.
- deleted 15y ago
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- NY_Entrepreneur 15y ago
  Naw! A good hacker has some BIG advantages! First, he KNOWS that his code works! This is a BIGGIE because there isn't a critic in the world who can write rhetoric that will stop or even slow the code from working! No matter how many nasty words might be said, the code will still WORK! That's a BIGGIE. Can sleep well on it and maybe soon take it to the bank. Second, the hacker has in his good code a great example of how to solve problems, an example that applies not universally but, still, significantly more generally. So, one of the first ways the hacker knew his code was good was when he gave it a severe desk check. There he went through the code as a 'logical path' that connected end to end. Well, that's a GREAT 'problem solving paradigm', one of the very best of all! So, apply that paradigm where can to some of the other issues in the startup. E.g., a biggie is, will users and/or customers like it? Well, if have a good solution for a big ass, hairy, stinking problem people are screaming to have solved and for which there is no good solution, then, sure, just found your 'end to end logical connection'. The run out of cash worry? Do the checkbook arithmetic; then do good planning; then execute the plan well; then no worries, mate. Net, rationalize, don't emotionalize.

abbasmehdi 15y ago

Great point, I'd also add emotional support in the darkest hours.

deleted 15y ago
[deleted]
NY_Entrepreneur 15y ago
Naw! A good hacker has some BIG advantages! First, he KNOWS that his code works! This is a BIGGIE because there isn't a critic in the world who can write rhetoric that will stop or even slow the code from working! No matter how many nasty words might be said, the code will still WORK! That's a BIGGIE. Can sleep well on it and maybe soon take it to the bank. Second, the hacker has in his good code a great example of how to solve problems, an example that applies not universally but, still, significantly more generally. So, one of the first ways the hacker knew his code was good was when he gave it a severe desk check. There he went through the code as a 'logical path' that connected end to end. Well, that's a GREAT 'problem solving paradigm', one of the very best of all! So, apply that paradigm where can to some of the other issues in the startup. E.g., a biggie is, will users and/or customers like it? Well, if have a good solution for a big ass, hairy, stinking problem people are screaming to have solved and for which there is no good solution, then, sure, just found your 'end to end logical connection'. The run out of cash worry? Do the checkbook arithmetic; then do good planning; then execute the plan well; then no worries, mate. Net, rationalize, don't emotionalize.