> worrying about getting back their "investment" on a company that has gone under is just a distraction from the real business of making sure that the two-three

> worrying about getting back their "investment" on a company that has gone under is just a distraction from the real business of making sure that the two-three companies are very successful. That, and why are they hoping to extract value from the learning experience of the founders to begin with? People working at many different companies usually learn lots of things and can increase their value just as much as any startup founders. As an investor, can't you just ignore any hopes that you'll extract any value from an "acqui-hire" when you negotiate the valuation of the company?