I mostly agree, and a big point that you mention here which a lot of companies that take on VC money miss is that it is inherently risky, even if the terms are

I mostly agree, and a big point that you mention here which a lot of companies that take on VC money miss is that it is inherently risky, even if the terms are good, and you need to have a purpose for getting the money that isn't just keeping in the cool kids club or a desire for hyper growth. I think it is possible to do it right, for example trying to get net-positive ASAP while taking on some money to be able to afford early engineers, but few companies try to approach it like this. Also, for the sake of clarity, to expand on what I meant by it's safer: it's definitely not without its risks (as mentioned), but if we assume that the idea and team is good, and that it is possible that a competent competitor to take your idea but execute on it faster with more money, if you approach things right, with an actual good idea and business plan, taking on VC money can be good and relatively safe for the business.