I was looking at the video of CodeCombat's startup school interview(btw congrats Nick/George/Scott!) and replayed the part where PaulG said-YC applicants who have stayed long working for large companies is a bad thing for us.Well I am one such person.But whatever experience/assumptions Paul might have to believe so certainly doesn't define me.Especially considering different kinds of society,cultures & norms.I am not trying to prove that PaulG's opinion is wrong;I am just presenting my case that it's not entirely true, for them or any other investor for that matter.
Yes,I stayed with a large company:1)Because I got my freedom (95% of it):Paul mentions in his article (http://www.paulgraham.com/boss.html) how even in a small organization freedom might not come easy.It can't be more than true!However,I got mine!Basically,I earned it by being an intrapreneur with every opportunity I could grab.
2)Each challenge was bigger than the last:I asked for it and I got it.When there wasn't a challenge they could throw at me I created one myself.
3)It exposed me to new countries/cultures.
4)It gave my parents peace of mind-An employed/independent/settled daughter is a big thing for Indian parents.Well I did more than that;I ensured I am financially capable of taking care of them whenever they need.
So my point here's that working in large org didn't make me think less ideas or be satisfied with what I have,rather it has left we asking for more.It made me realize that I didn’t fit the large organization category,I am person who loves change,I get bored by routine.I love when it’s challenging,bored when everything is smooth, challenge rules/policies that are more restrictive than effective etc.So here I am with my mojo intact determined to take my startup to the levels I dream because I come from the other side knowing exactly what I want and don't.