Spelling an acquihire as failure reminds me of "If you're not first, you're last!" I don't know that it's a good way to look at things. First, if you get out o

Spelling an acquihire as failure reminds me of "If you're not first, you're last!" I don't know that it's a good way to look at things. First, if you get out of your startup for what amounts to a signing bonus and a job at a cool company, life could be worse. Much worse, in fact. If you set out to change the world and didn't-- c'mon, VERY few people are "changing the world" with a startup. The world, and your customers, will go on if you go to work for someone else. Building a business is not for everyone. If you realize after you've started a business that you suck at it, there's no shame in saving face and getting out with what you can! But yes, it's certainly not as exciting as a lot of these companies make it sound in their press release, and it's certainly not something anyone will remember a few days later. It's not placing first, but it's not last either.