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It's a gradient transition. Being employee #10,000 is different from being employee #100 is different from being employee #1.

I don't know at what point you become "the man" but it's an interesting question at what point you are no longer considered a startup.

There's probably several paths that lead to loss of your "startup" status. Being bought out, going IPO, becoming profitable, being in business 3+ years, etc.

> being in business 3+ years

And if you're been in business for 3+ years, but change direction (like from consulting to products as many in the industry do), are you considered a startup again?

Good question. 3 years was an arbitrary number. Maybe you could say that you're a startup as long as you're still relying on venture capital?

Steve Blank seems to answer it the best http://steveblank.com/2012/03/29/nail-the-customer-developme...

When it is a household name or well established in the field.