[kamaal]

>>If you then later apply all that you learned during those years in a non-start-up context you may still come out ahead.

Unless the start up had something to do with politics, and you learned a lot about politics, you can't use any of your skills(related to actual work) to 'come out ahead' in a big company.

[jacquesm]

If all you learn in a start-up has to do with politics you're doing something very wrong.