[landryraccoon]

> founders still got paid a salary

Founders get paid a salary? That hasn't always been true in my experience.

> Founders took no more risk than the first employees.

If it's actually that easy you should go be a startup founder. After all, there's no risk, right?

[pikzen]

Let's be honest: people who found startups fall in three categories:

* Those who have funds to fall back on in case the startup fails

* Those who got VC funding

* Those who are actually risking things because they invested everything in their startup

I'd wager the first two categories make up 90% of startup founders. These people take absolutely zero risks. Whoop, startup fails. Oh well, it was either not your money or you've still got a comfortable amount to sit on.

Thsoe last 10 percent, yes, they do take risks. Don't expect me to cry for the others.

[mpbm]

This word "risk." I do not think it means what you think it means.

Just because someone has lots of money (their own or a VC's) doesn't mean they aren't risking that money when they put it into a startup. The money is at risk because it probably WON'T be returned, let alone increased.

I think what you're conflating with risk is actually diversification. You're only willing to cry for the people who are "all in" on a single investment. Arguably, being diversified is the sensible thing to do and it's the idiots who don't make sensible choices who you shouldn't cry for.

[hyperliner]

So, if they have "funds to fall back under" isn't that a risk?