Tech Industry

Software engineering attracts and develops talented problem-solvers. The discipline fundamentally involves cognitive challenges—translating human intentions into precise instructions that computers can execute. This complexity multiplies when incorporating human factors, as software requirements often emerge from stakeholders who have intuitive desires without necessarily having precise specifications in mind. This combination creates an intellectually demanding field.

A fascinating pattern has emerged among startups—particularly in financial technology and adjacent sectors—where leaders increasingly explore cultural propagation through memes as a potential growth strategy. This approach parallels the “viral” focus that characterized the early 2010s startup landscape, when numerous companies secured substantial venture funding based primarily on rapid user acquisition through novel applications. The Yo app stands as a particularly interesting historical example of this phenomenon.

I was reading Hacker News comments recently when I encountered someone sharing their challenges finding work in technology, attributing it to ageism in the industry. This sparked an insight about a quality that serves professionals throughout their careers: malleability. The Value Equation: Experience and Adaptability # Ageism in technology is a real phenomenon that creates barriers for experienced professionals seeking new opportunities. In market-driven environments, organizations often optimize for perceived cost-effectiveness—seeking talent who can deliver results at the lowest investment. Unfortunately, this calculation sometimes undervalues the profound benefits that experience brings.

I’ve long aspired to build a sustainable, successful startup—one that generates sufficient revenue to support itself and provide meaningful compensation to its team members. However, I’ve reached a point where honest self-assessment has led me to pivot toward employment opportunities rather than continuing down the founder path for now. This journey has offered valuable insights worth sharing, particularly about the gap between startup mythology and actual entrepreneurial reality.

While I typically maintain caution around predictions, I believe we’re witnessing the early stages of a significant business model evolution. An emerging category of ventures—what I call “incentive-aligned businesses”—appears positioned for substantial growth and impact in coming years. The Principle of Mutual Risk and Reward # The concept of “skin in the game” describes arrangements where participants share both risk and potential returns with their counterparties. This principle already operates in certain investment contexts—angel investors provide capital to founders, accepting significant risk in exchange for equity that may grow substantially in value if the venture succeeds. This structure creates natural alignment between parties as their outcomes become interdependent.

Make something people want Y Combinator’s guiding philosophy—captured in their motto “make something people want”—has influenced countless entrepreneurs since its first appearance in Paul Graham’s blog post on startup fundamentals.