Totally considered. I did my bootstrapped startup while working a day job for the first year. The point is the value of your free time is 250k/yr. If you are smart and motivated, your time is incredibly valuable regardless of what your employer is paying you -- because you cannot easily hire that skillset with VC money.
In my case, when I was raising in 2012, the typical VC line was "go move to SF/SV and work for ramen-pay", which is ridiculous and only something rich people can do (things have changed now.) So I bootstrapped and built it myself on my spare hours (note, of course the start up should not be competing in the same market with your dayjob which would be a conflict of interest.)
Once you have a prototype and de-risking, the tables turn and VCs chase you
I mean, what is the alternative? See the GP comment I was replying to:
>> There is a lot of growth non dilutive capital available but the first 500k are near impossible to get without a network in old money.
If you're not in the circle where VCs are throwing money at you for some juice squeezing appliance, then you just have the option i've presented...or the option of not playing at all. But i'm very interested in the topic, i'd love to hear what your proposal is...because I think "poor people cant found tech startups" is not the world I would want to live in.
I mean the problem is not only poor people. It is that access start at 250k a year which is really hard to get even in tech.
The reason it is harder in tech to get funding for these good ideas that could be profitable has multiple factors
1. As pointed, decoupling of relationship between entrepreneurs and "old money". This could be rebuilt even a the local government level with reach out actions
2. The untangibility of tech assets make banks loans near impossible to get
3. People cannot afford the risk. Better safety net would help. Obamacare was a good first step. Far more are needed.
4. The winner take all model has failed to generate profit. It generated capital returns but as pointed out by OP, pretty bad one. But it needed a lot of capital and LPs had a lot of money to throw around. The current inflation and folding back to Value investment will help. But we need to make the point.
5. The rise of passive investing has reduced the amount of money available to these kind of "semi anateur small rounds". The return to a less bullish market may help.
6. Housing. A lot of money and security rn for young people is sinked in rent
7. O'Reilly had amazing result with Indie.vc. The LPs refused to invest. There is a story that need to be told more. We need dozens of people banging the drum on this.
In the end... i don't have a solution sadly. We need a return to fundamentals to make the story of these models work. Focus on real possible profit and not some "we will control the world". FAANG are the exception. Not the rule. LP need to realise that.
>> 2. The untangibility of tech assets make banks loans near impossible to get
Avoid bankloans and explore PIPE financing or similar non-dilutive financing
>> It is that access start at 250k a year which is really hard to get even in tech.
Not really. If you aren't VC funded, you can hire anywhere and anyone. You make the rules. At that point, you can hire in India, Indiana, Ukraine, Pakistan, or Pennsylvania. You get a lot for your money. We hired entirely outside major markets and saved a lot. Unfortunately once you go the VC route you get forced into hiring expensive talent and end up burning money.
In my case, when I was raising in 2012, the typical VC line was "go move to SF/SV and work for ramen-pay", which is ridiculous and only something rich people can do (things have changed now.) So I bootstrapped and built it myself on my spare hours (note, of course the start up should not be competing in the same market with your dayjob which would be a conflict of interest.)
Once you have a prototype and de-risking, the tables turn and VCs chase you
I mean, what is the alternative? See the GP comment I was replying to:
>> There is a lot of growth non dilutive capital available but the first 500k are near impossible to get without a network in old money.
If you're not in the circle where VCs are throwing money at you for some juice squeezing appliance, then you just have the option i've presented...or the option of not playing at all. But i'm very interested in the topic, i'd love to hear what your proposal is...because I think "poor people cant found tech startups" is not the world I would want to live in.