Comments on: Exits dry up for venture-backed startups

As the public markets close to startup exits, we may be facing a crisis in the US technology economy.

[Beenthinking]

As with most security measures, the outcome is to keep the good guys honest...not exactly a security measure now is it? Relative to investing, having been a GP for 12 years, I am completely astounded at the lack of early stage financing. No one does it anymore. I don't know one VC that actually invests in early stage companies, although many claim to. So there are lack of public exists but there is also a lack of financing these early stage high risk ventures at well. To your point, there may be a new Apple or Google out there, just not during these times.

[The_Decider]

I don't think it is a bad thing at all.

The kitchen sink approach to software(don't kid yourself, Apple is a software company, when was the last Apple created a processor or hard drive?) development is going by the wayside and that is a positive. Companies should focus on one or two products. To understand why, look at Microsoft. They try to be all things to all people and that is the main reason they fail in terms of quality and innovation. They have too many fingers in too many pies and are slipping into irrelevancy because of it.

It will happen to Apple as they force more and more products out the door.

[The_Decider]

When you sell out to Wall Street, quality and customers no longer matter. You can't put out an outstanding product if it means your stock will drop a little. And in this world that worships mediocrity that happens all too often.

Look at Yahoo, the fact that they are a publicly traded company is what is hurting them right now. I am willing to bet that they would be bigger and stronger if they were a private corporation. They could also have ignored Microsofts ridiculous offer and moved on with not having to deal with shortsighted greedy idiots like Icahn. They fact that they went public is exactly what is hurting them.

In short money ruins everything. Or rather the pursuit of maximizing every possible area of your business is what ruins you.