Unicorns, multicorns and popcorn

[Nik]

What characterizes this era is unprecedented opportunity to grow really big in relatively short spells. You don't need production, resources, profitable biz. All you need - a cool idea, decent initial realization (or projection thereof), proven virality and convincing concept. Yes, same 'old' same start-ups reaching mega-size of billion plus worth, tagged 'unicorns' and all other corns: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicorn...
Some argue it might turn out as another bubble and that's for one. I argue (and maybe others too) that 'old' economy is caught by surprise and didn't have time to prepare and retaliate, but will banks tolerate 'lending clubs' for long or hotels - apartments leased p2p? We might see a showdown of a sort (that's where you need popcorn handy).
Anyhow, if anyone searches for the fastest way for mega enrichment - start-ups are probably the best shortcut in town in current volatile business ambiance...
What about you? Do you believe in unicorns and other magical creatures?

[Mehreen]

Without magical creatures, life would be boring.

[kavi ~he-him~]

Mehreen wrote: "Without magical creatures, life would be boring."

That is true

[Nik]

Had a short yacht sail recently and the skipper showed me around all those new multi-million worth yachts at the marina, claiming most are coming from 'exits' done by mostly young and unknown high-tech entrepreneurs selling their start-ups to the big guys for hundreds of millions of USD.
Sounds magic, almost like making a big buck from indie writing, but maybe start-ups is indeed the only available shortcut to riches these days? What do you think?

[J.J.]

I think today the start-up has to actually do something worth investing in. Or maybe not in some parts of the world. But I think investors learned that during the dotcom crash at the end of the century. During the bubble, all you had to do was register a domain name, pretend to be a company, and launch an IPO. By the time investors realized the "companies" weren't making any money, those companies went under and the investors lost everything.

[Scout]

Nik said, "Sounds magic, almost like making a big buck from indie writing, but maybe start-ups is indeed the only available shortcut to riches these days? What do you think?"

Sorry to say that those are not the only available shortcuts to riches. There's always the shortcut of marrying a millionaire, or maybe blackmail. Not promoting either, but they're shortcuts to riches.