[joelrunyon]

I don't like this way of thinking.

Might be smart to "diversify risk" in an investor sense, but as a startup, you're more akin to a team than an investor.

It seems akin to a pitcher betting against his own team in order to make money himself. Sure, he might come out ahead, but that's not the point of the team.

If you really want to invest in other startups, put up some cash.

[ezl]

betting against yourself as a pitcher incentivizes you to perform poorly and fail.

"paying" 3% of your company leaves you with 97%. Trying to drive your remaining 97% in the ground is idiocy.

[masterzora]

Not that I agree with most of GP's message, but generally pitchers come out ahead if they win a game. If they bet a nontrivial but still small amount against themselves it could be seen as a means of hedging an individual game. And strongly frowned upon.

[joelrunyon]

Most founders don't own 100% of their company.