[manv1]

This is why you need good people when you start: because good architecture is the difference between fast iteration and slow iteration.

A good architecture will allow you to make changes easily. A bad one doesn't. It's actually pretty simple, conceptually speaking.

If you believe that "late stage" companies make correct architecture choices you're probably incorrect. It's not about late stage or early stage, it's about knowing how to build software from scratch in a way that you don't hamstring yourself (and others) down the road.