Comment by null_investor

It's not a rational choice. By using statistics on startup bankruptcy data, you'd come to the conclusion that it isn't worth it.

But some people like exciting things, to dedicate themselves fully to something, even if that something may yield nothing or even a very negative outcome.

Just see how many people die every year doing free solo climbing (climbing without ropes), yet there are still solo climbers. Often, they make 0 money and do this out of pleasure , fun and for being challenged and love of the sport.

Just because you like optimizing your life for the best outcomes (which typically involve less risk), it doesn't mean others will. Some people are just born differently.

Life is there to be lived. I don't work anymore ever as a founding engineer or founder as I've experienced loss and saw it isn't for me, but what happens is that you'll likely end up working for somebody that did that if you don't.

Even the founding engineer gets 10% or 1%, there'll be always the ones that hit the jackpot and build another Amazon, and even though they aren't rich like Jeff, they carry out immense power and got their billions. And they deserve it, because they risked a lot for that.

Being the unlucky one in this isn't fun. I've been there, saw it and it's ugly. But that's just how the universe is. Some will be lucky, that's something I'm sure.