The Equity Equation

Post by yubrew » Wed, Jul 18, 2007, 8:58 PM UTC

cperciva wrote: post #17

ivankirigin wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Or even 90% of YC-funded-startup founders for that matter" Not to deny this, as I don't know anything about you, but... that is a very bold statement.

Of course it's a bold statement. But if I wasn't bold, I wouldn't have started university at age 13, set three world records for calculating pi (a stunt, I admit), ranked in the top six mathematics undergraduates in North America, received a $100k+ scholarship to Oxford University (not the Rhodes, unfortunately -- their mistake), received a doctorate in computer science from said university, and become the security o…

Post by menloparkbum » Wed, Jul 18, 2007, 9:10 PM UTC

cperciva wrote: post #17

ivankirigin wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Or even 90% of YC-funded-startup founders for that matter" Not to deny this, as I don't know anything about you, but... that is a very bold statement.

Of course it's a bold statement. But if I wasn't bold, I wouldn't have started university at age 13, set three world records for calculating pi (a stunt, I admit), ranked in the top six mathematics undergraduates in North America, received a $100k+ scholarship to Oxford University (not the Rhodes, unfortunately -- their mistake), received a doctorate in computer science from said university, and become the security o…

Post by yubrew » Wed, Jul 18, 2007, 9:14 PM UTC

cperciva wrote: post #23

yubrew wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So you've shown that you have some (impressive) academic achievements, but have you had any business success? Just because you're book smart doesn't mean you will have a successful start up. Many times people think that they can transfer great success from one domain into other domain. Michael Jordan and his short baseball stint is the first thing that comes to mind.

You're quite right, and if I do fail I entirely expect it to be due to a lack of business experience. But on this topic I'm working entirely based on what Paul says -- that being able to build something which people want is far more important than being able to sell it.

Post by palish » Wed, Jul 18, 2007, 9:32 PM UTC

cperciva wrote: post #23

yubrew wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So you've shown that you have some (impressive) academic achievements, but have you had any business success? Just because you're book smart doesn't mean you will have a successful start up. Many times people think that they can transfer great success from one domain into other domain. Michael Jordan and his short baseball stint is the first thing that comes to mind.

You're quite right, and if I do fail I entirely expect it to be due to a lack of business experience. But on this topic I'm working entirely based on what Paul says -- that being able to build something which people want is far more important than being able to sell it.

Post by cperciva » Wed, Jul 18, 2007, 9:43 PM UTC

yubrew wrote: post #26

cperciva wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're quite right, and if I do fail I entirely expect it to be due to a lack of business experience. But on this topic I'm working entirely based on what Paul says -- that being able to build something which people want is far more important than being able to sell it.

One personal tip, you come off as an arrogant prick because of your "I am holier than thou" statements. These kind of behaviors will drastically reduce the amount of people that will want to work with you or help you. I work with MDs and PhDs on a daily basis, analyzing their technologies for their start up companies. By far, I am much more willing to put in extra hours for friendly people than those that cram down m…