Without agreeing with Venkatesh Rao's analysis or conclusions he does present an interesting story...
Like Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs in the garage, "Technology startups typically have a hacker-and-hustler founding pair" (see Forbes article Part I page 1)
but
"As software eats the world, every sort of engineering (and indeed, every sort of profession organized along lines suggested by the physical sciences, including fields like medicine) is becoming effectively a branch of computer science." (see article Part II page 1)
"Codification of tacit knowledge does not codify political skill, but is never an apolitical act. All codification is political. Knowledge is captured and codified in ways that benefit a specific class." (see article Part II page 2)
If bootstrapping is seen as a reaction to the dominance of capital the logic behind it can still be subverted the neutralise it as a funding strategy for new ventures; " bootstrapping vs. venture-funding has been subtly reframed as a lifestyle business vs. growth-business debate." (see article Part II page 3)
Finally more painfully perhaps...
The technical entrepreneur staggers from new post-industrial school (aka y-Combinator or similar hot-house) into obscurity. (see article Part III pages 2/3)
...rather depressing really
References:
Rao, Venkatesh. 2012. Entrepreneurs are the New Labor, Forbes Magazine (link)
