Ask YC: What is your backup in case your startup fails?

[navanit]

PG mentions that not having a backup is probably a good strategy (desperate to succeed), but I'm interested in hearing what range of backups are being considered.

There is always "everything else," but I'd be interested to know if folks will just try again, go to university, or join a BDC, etc.

[cperciva]

I wouldn't have started tarsnap if Google hadn't offered me a job; that gave me the confidence that if tarsnap didn't work I would be able to get a well-paying job in silicon valley.

[ErrantX]

Keep your old boss happy (i.e. dont just quit to start a startup).

If mine goes down the pan I still have my old job (within reason) to go back to (in point of fact I am still working there almost full time, but the points stands :D).