Should you join an AI Startup?

If the rewards of a startup are only going to the founders and AI researchers, then what incentives are there for all the other roles? Has AI broken the startup model? 

SHOW: 942

SHOW TRANSCRIPT: The Cloudcast #942 Transcript

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SHOW NOTES:

• Google and Windsurf, Stinky Deals, Chesterton’s Fence and the Silicon Valley Ecosystem
• Andreessen Horowitz’s Casado Plays Talent Broker for Cursor
• Cognition acquires Windsurf after CEO and Researchers go to Google
• Are AI Acquihires Screwing Up the Startup Space?
• How ‘Acquihires’ Are Reshaping Silicon Valley’s AI Investments

WHY WOULD ANYBODY JOIN AN AI STARTUP? 

• Windsurf, ScaleAI, Inflection and several other AI companies are getting acquihired. 
• The US DOJ and FTC are scrutinizing acquisitions by large tech companies
• Large tech companies are able to acquihire without paying for non-founders
• Not every company will be ChatGPT and grew without massive sales and marketing
• What would anyone join an AI Startup if you’re not the Founder or AI Researcher? 

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