McNairn: Founding a startup is economically irrational compared to traditional career paths
Ross McNairn · He grew to millions in ARR in 18 months—by fighting with his co-founders on purpose. | Ross McNai... · PMF Show · Aug 14, 2025 · at 12:38
Ross McNairn, founder of Wordsmith AI, discusses why financial upside alone fails to explain why tech talent chooses to start early-stage companies.
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“Well, look, founding a business is not economically rational because the risk profile on the return, it makes zero sense really. Like if you're making any normal bet, it's like playing roulette with 350 you know, options rather than 36. Like it's an idiot's game to go in there and just start betting seven years of your life on a 360 person.”
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