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Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI and co-founder of Y Combinator (YC), explains a unique advantage startups have over big corporations: the ability to turn a single “yes” into massive success. In a large company, even a groundbreaking idea can die if one executive says no. But in the startup world, you only need one investor to believe in you, and you’re off to the races.
Why "Bad" Ideas Might Be Great
Altman encourages entrepreneurs to look for ideas that may sound “bad” at first glance but hold untapped potential. This category often includes radical concepts that big companies might dismiss too quickly. History is full of examples, like Airbnb, a seemingly “bad” idea of renting out your home to strangers, that eventually turned into a billion-dollar enterprise because one person believed it was worth a shot.
Y Combinator’s Demo Day: A Unique Opportunity
At YC Demo Day, founders showcase their ideas to a room of thousands of potential investors. For startups, this setting is invaluable—if even one investor is willing to back a “bad-sounding” idea, the founders have a shot. This access to investors willing to take big risks on radical ideas helps startups flourish and fuels their edge over larger, slower-moving corporations.
The Startup Advantage: Risk, Resilience, and Reward
Big corporations typically aim for consensus, which can prevent them from pursuing risky but rewarding ventures. Startups, however, can afford to take bold leaps. Altman’s insight highlights why so many big ideas come from small startups: the freedom to pursue even the “crazy” ideas without needing unanimous approval. With this advantage, small teams often turn the seemingly impossible into revolutionary breakthroughs.
In a Nutshell
Sam Altman’s advice is clear—seek out ideas that might sound unconventional. In the startup ecosystem, a single “yes” can outshine countless “no’s,” and what seems like a “bad” idea might just be the next big innovation waiting to happen. For aspiring entrepreneurs, this perspective opens doors to ideas others might overlook.
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