To some extent, the startup scene is about high valuations, making the investor the customer. The filters that gatekeepers and valuators use are very hackable.

To some extent, the startup scene is about high valuations, making the investor the customer. The filters that gatekeepers and valuators use are very hackable. Is it easier to hack a gatekeeper's filter, or to make an awesome product? I suppose it depends on your skill-set. One can reasonably estimate that some double digit percentage of funded startups are where they are because they were designed to appeal to investors and receive high valuations.