[anotherhacker]

"Depends on what you mean by 'making it' as a startup "

Making it = profitable and no debt.

As odd as that may seem, a great many companies don't do that. E.g. Uber (for now).

[hw]

It is unfortunate, and it remains to be seen if they will remain profitable, or just go on an endless run of losses and increasing debt. Some say 'making it' is IPOing, even if not profitable and laden with a mountain of debt. As some would argue, why spend your own money if you can spend someone else's?

I do like the question on whether Mailchimp would be a lot more successful had it taken on more funding and debt.