Getting (some degree of) funding != "Winning the startup lottery". Not by a long shot.
And for what it's worth, I don't know the Elastic Sales team personally but nothing I've heard indicates that Steli or any of the rest of them really "have money" in a meaningful sense, or are "relaxing with a well-funded team".
Does initial funding provide a minimal threshold so you can keep the lights on? Yes. Does it really make you any better off emotionally? Hate to break it to you, but no.
Raising a first round of cash takes away some stresses and gives you others, and on balance I don't think it makes a lot of difference in your overall happiness level. The stuff described in the article (getting married, having a kid, taking breaks here and there, etc) does.
And for what it's worth, I don't know the Elastic Sales team personally but nothing I've heard indicates that Steli or any of the rest of them really "have money" in a meaningful sense, or are "relaxing with a well-funded team".
Does initial funding provide a minimal threshold so you can keep the lights on? Yes. Does it really make you any better off emotionally? Hate to break it to you, but no.
Raising a first round of cash takes away some stresses and gives you others, and on balance I don't think it makes a lot of difference in your overall happiness level. The stuff described in the article (getting married, having a kid, taking breaks here and there, etc) does.