(Autodesk did have some conversations with VCs, but they were so profitable and growing so fast that by the time the VCs had made an offer, it was ridiculously low. Here's the history of those deals.[1])
Fun read!
That's a non-trivial amount of cash to be able to dump into starting a company.
You're right that it's a relatively small amount to start any kind of business.
I do think someone mid-career who's something of a subject expert spending $150k teaches us meaningfully different lessons than an inexperienced person whose $150 side project is now a billion company. Not less valuable, just different.
I hope all of HN realizes how valuable it is to have you around....