[zephyrnh]

"They generate revenue very early on in their lives. Often as soon as they get their first user."

Is this true? If "super successful" can be understood as "the biggest tech IPOs of the last 15 years", then I think that Google, Facebook, LinkedIn & Twitter would be at the very top of that list. I guess it depends on how we define "very early".

[jusben1369]

I wonder if you're confusing revenue with profitability? Maybe Twitter is the only one here that didnt' have an add to click very early on.

[beat]

It's a rule of thumb, not a rule of physics. I'm sure the majority of highly successful startups are generating revenue (and probably even profitable) very early. Relying on viral growth and VC with a promise of revenues later is more likely to fail than succeed.