Startups vs Big Companies

Comments debate how certain practices, policies, or strategies are feasible for large tech giants and enterprises with ample resources but pose significant challenges or risks for startups due to limited funds, unpredictability, and lack of scale.

📉 Falling 0.4x Startups & Business
3,977
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#7369
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
54
2008
129
2009
129
2010
157
2011
217
2012
244
2013
200
2014
194
2015
201
2016
251
2017
212
2018
217
2019
204
2020
273
2021
224
2022
273
2023
316
2024
242
2025
230
2026
10

Keywords

AMT FB PCI YC SafeHarbor LeadGenius PG GOOG BigCo danluu.com startups startup big tech big tech companies starting bigco service stage

Sample Comments

nate_martin • Dec 3, 2015 • View on HN

You're betting on a a startup's product to stick around longer than a tech giant's?

anon-3988 • Aug 26, 2024 • View on HN

This is fine for big companies and government but startups is going to die because of this.

tachyonbeam • Mar 23, 2018 • View on HN

This would make it very hard for startups to compete

meow_mix • Jan 16, 2025 • View on HN

this is not a good idea for most enterprise or even early-stage startupsI don't think their business seems impressive enough to really make this argument either

bbcbasic • Jul 31, 2015 • View on HN

Probably not a good idea for startups whose long term success is unpredictable though.

drx • Aug 16, 2024 • View on HN

Another advantage startups have over big companies.

rdlecler1 • Mar 17, 2018 • View on HN

Large corporation have the resources for this. Small startups that are built on an ecosystem of services do not.

izacus • Feb 24, 2020 • View on HN

No, it really isn't: https://danluu.com/startup-tradeoffs/

j_baker • Apr 25, 2010 • View on HN

Sadly, my experience is that they're scary to a lot of startups as well. Startups often have one or two former big company types working for them, which may be all that's needed to tip the scales against you.

notional • Sep 23, 2020 • View on HN

Startups don't usually have the backing of unlimited funds and warm bodies so it isn't really a fair comparison to make.