You, too, can flip a start-up (if you've got 7 years)

Those who joined the technology industry in the 1990s can be forgiven for believing that dramatic wealth for paltry effort is the norm.

For everyone else, it's worth being reminded of something that Trevor Loy, a partner with venture capital firm Flywheel Ventures, said in recent congressional testimony:

We expect to hold a typical venture capital investment for 5-10 years, often longer and, since the technology bubble burst, rarely much less.

Unfortunately, Loy is not alone. In fact, as Tim McAdam and Jim Tybur of Trinity Ventures told me over breakfast Thursday morning, 20 years of National Venture Capital Association data (PDF) suggests that very few companies grow to $100 million in revenue in fewer than seven years.

This chart shows the value and age characteristics of venture-backed IPOs from 1980 to 2008.

(Credit: National Venture Capital Association)

If you're looking to flip your Web 2.0 start-up that sells fashion accessory widgets, this will come as bad news. But for those open-source entrepreneurs who are dismayed that they're only at $50 million or so after a few years in business, take heart: that's the way it's supposed to be.

It's supposed to take years to grow a solid business. Sure, Salesforce.com hit $1 billion in revenues after just 10 years in business, and $100 million in its first 5. Google made it to $100 million even faster.

But those are anomalies, as all the data suggests. Red Hat, MySQL, and other leading open-source businesses took at least 7 years to ripen financially. They were built for profitability, which should be the focus of every open-source entrepreneur. We're growing businesses, not hype and fan clubs.

Follow me on Twitter @mjasay. Please note that if someone offers you $1 billion for your company that is still pre-revenue, disregard all advice above. Just take it.

[Trey71]

Good Post - A start up I went to work for in 2000 was just sold this summer (9 years) your data is right on.