I'm not sure this theme will survive much longer. It seems no coincidence that the founders of the two most successful YC companies, Dropbox and Airbnb, weren't interested in any "big exit". (Drew remarked on his YC app that he'd find it difficult to turn down a million dollars for 6 months of work, but even that reads like he probably would've passed on such an offer.)
The most promising founders seem not to be interested in exiting.
Exactly. You only go to a VC when there is a real need for capital to purchase equipment or pay salaries. Though the vast majority of "startups" can be done by one or two people coding and selling part-time. Hell, I've managed to develop businesses with less than $50. Profitable businesses.
Yeah that sort of thing makes sense, in the same way that Facebook taking VC did, however, it makes little sense to take VC for a prototype with no users.
Might as well go see a VC about opening a Pizza shop, it makes about as much sense.
The people who are losing to VCs have no leverage, if you have no leverage you will always lose the negotiation.