If you are interested in a take on this topic that is based on data, check out Noam Wasserman at BoS 2009 (his talk at BoS 2012 was very similar) http://busine

If you are interested in a take on this topic that is based on data, check out Noam Wasserman at BoS 2009 (his talk at BoS 2012 was very similar) http://businessofsoftware.org/2009/05/professor-noam-wasserman-at-business-of-software-2008-rich-or-king/ http://businessofsoftware.org/2009/05/professor-noam-wasserm... He has been collecting data on start-ups and then looking at survival lengths and outcomes. He wrote a book on the topic http://www.amazon.com/Founders-Dilemmas-Anticipating-Foundation-Entrepreneurship/dp/0691149135 http://www.amazon.com/Founders-Dilemmas-Anticipating-Foundat...