The traditional vc-based path to building a company is sub-optimal, this has been the topic much covered on HN. Product-based way of building a company seems to

The traditional vc-based path to building a company is sub-optimal, this has been the topic much covered on HN. Product-based way of building a company seems to be the future. The companies that went directly to customers first on merits of their product and then attracted attention of rolodex-waving vcs include google, 37signals and probably pg's viaweb (sorry for non-original examples). Remember, internet IS a network already. Even mentor knowledge is available through Google. Leverage this network and you're in business. You do need some hard technical knowledge (and books) to achieve this, though. On the other hand, stuffing startups with executive 'mentors' who bring 'experience' but also grab tons of call options is a venerable vc industry tradition. As somebody who went once through a vc-funded startup that was later killed by the same vcs, I remain ever sceptical about their motives and see this article as a piece of vc propaganda.