[hugh4]

Unless YC is promising to fund these researchers for life they'll pretty much have to, or else they'll never get back on the treadmill once the YC money runs out.

[sackofmugs]

That's not true. University professors have sabbaticals, and can also go on extended leave for multiple years and return just fine.

[Fomite]

Professors on sabbatical are expected to produce things that matter to academia.