Paul GrahamVerified account

But is it? You can serve a small niche of users, focusing on profitability rather than growth, & know it’s something users want

Sure. But then it's just an ordinary business, not a startup.

This would mean (which I haven't heard in any definition of a startup) that a feature is to not be focused on profitability. The interesting thing about that is that is not coming from customers. That's capital that's said we'll worry about money in a couple years cz they have $

Feel like everyone here is just talking past each other. I could be wrong here, but growth is defined broadly. Maybe daily average users. Maybe overall cash inflow. Maybe total customers. All changes depending on timeline of business. Key is focus on "growth" today to maximize

Cash in the future. That's what a business (or a startup) is. It's long term cash flow. So define what growth is for you, at your stage, to maximize long term cash.

In direct relation to what I asked. Paul hinted to a business that focuses on profitability just being a regular business. Meaning if you focus on profitability you’re not a startup. That’s interesting. Also I understand it’s Twitter. A place for loose and working ideas.

You didn't understand it correctly