I was quoted in this article, but the point I really wanted to make (that ended up on the cutting room floor obviously) was that a startup should be more concerned about the 3-person startup working on the same thing than an investor or big company stealing their idea.
The meme that ideas are worthless is generally a good remedy to founder paranoia, but I don't think a lot has been said about why founders feel so protective over ideas.
To me good ideas are what I use to convince myself that I have insight into a problem. Its the truth of those ideas (often manifested in particular features) that makes founding a startup seem like a quest for something good. So the idea of someone taking your idea and doing it first, even though they may not have your insight, totally destroys the vision of your company. Its probably a good thing if you release and are copied, they'll always be playing catchup, but to be trumped before releasing...
I think startups who fear investors do so because of the 3 person startup they are imagining the investor shopping their idea to. Its probably not reality, but no one wants someone else telling their story before they can.
