[apeescape]

Well, did those startups succeed? If not, I think it means the author was spot on in saying startups can't _afford_ that.

[stackskipton]

One did, two did not. None of due to engineering.

Engineering rarely matters unfortunately but ability to weave a story and sell that story.

[apeescape]

Fair point about the importance of storytelling, but I wouldn't say "engineering rarely matters" in the tech industry. Compelling vision can mask those problems for a long while, but at some point the wheels will fall off if engineers can't deliver.