Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

I think that depends on what your startup is. If it's some silly app solving a first world problem that will honestly be replaced by something else in a year, I couldn't agree with you more.

On the other hand, if it's something that really matters, that you really care about, and your goal isn't to make money but to somehow change the world, I can't see anyone taking the same perspective.

That being said, I haven't really seen any startups that do have a goal or mindset like this recently (other than perhaps watsi). That's a totally separate discussion, but still makes me sad.




Your comment is based on the assumption that it's impossible for a founder to really care about a silly app that solves some first world problem. I think more to the crux of the issue here is what the founder wants to do. If they want to make a buck, then I doubt they'd ever regret the buyout. But if they have any emotional attachement at all, regardless of how silly or world-changing the actual product is... well, then whether or not you want to take the money is a valid question.

I can't say for sure what I'd do in that situation, but I do know that the devil I know (me) is far better than the devil I don't (the company trying to purchase my company). I'd like to think that if I was still interested in the company I'd roll on along on my own. (If I wasn't, however, that's an entirely different story.)


Really good response, and you're totally right. I was applying my own personal bias to the comment, and that wasn't fair.


I don't think this is correct. Google, which is world-changing, would have sold out if the prices being offered were higher.

http://www.paulgraham.com/googles.html

Additionally, most large, "world-changing" companies (GE, GM, ExxonMobil, etc.) are public, which is selling out to an extent (usually with good reasons, but it's still selling shares in the company).




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: