Founded a startup with 2 co-founders, quickly found an investor, grew to 7 employees + 5-10 freelancers. Closed down 10 years ago.

Since then full-time software dev contractor, can't complain income wise. Apparently: Even running a page into the ground yields enough technological experience to make you interesting enough for other companies ;-)

Sometimes I felt the itch to try out a new venture with a friend. Some ideas including non-profit things. But quickly give up, because VCs are loaded with with requests, and those VCs that can shuffle free their calendar are not the ones you want to do business with.

YC never was an option because they demanded to move to California and (at least officially) little money.

Contracting delivers a very comfy cash-flow, but not really the fulfillment one might seek with a startup