Fifteen yards to anyone who a year ago claimed that incubators were the greatest vehicles for success ever, or to those who argue the converse today. A penalty box for those evangelists of profits today, especially if they pooh-poohed them in 1999. It sure feels that way. Or consider the behavior of venture capitalists who are now huddled into a pack mentality of preaching profitability. Like studio executives trying to knock off a blockbuster, these financiers flock to fund a company identical to the one that just scored in the public market.
Every startup is unique - what attorneys call sui generis.
And in fact, it is this sui generis that accounts for their success. Prevailing myths and conventional wisdom don't necessarily govern the path of a particular company. Companies succeed on the basis of how well they execute their unique and tailored plan. Yes, external market truths matter, especially in terms of securing capital. And just as we saw a time when too much capital kept tepid companies afloat, now we are seeing the depletion of capital staving off valid prospects.