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Re:Y Combinator vs TechStars: Whose Companies Are Bringing I... by ericd on Sunday December 11, 2011 @09:06PM (#3341909)
Average is the important metric in startup investing, because the distribution of outcomes is extremely skewed, and the median is likely a net negative outcome at re series A stage. It's those few blockbuster hits that make VC investing work.

New founders might care more about the median, but big investors, not so much.

Re:Y Combinator vs TechStars: Whose Companies Are Bringing I... by whenisayUH on Sunday December 11, 2011 @10:03PM (#3342055)
Absolutely. But it seemed the original TC article was trying to suggest which program was best for startups. So if trying to figure out which program is better for general partners/limited partners, I agree average makes sense. For startup founders, median is what matters.
Re:Y Combinator vs TechStars: Whose Companies Are Bringing I... by ericd on Sunday December 11, 2011 @10:20PM (#3342100)
Fair. That also depends on whether you're the type of person who wants to make something hugely impactful. If you are, average might still be better.