My current startup is sort of struggling with something similar.<p>The recent YC batch was really focused on growth and your primary milestone.<p>I agree with this to a certain degree but I think if you're too early it's not worth it.<p>What I'm focused on is actually building a product that people care about. I'm building our VALUE and not focused on growth.<p>Once I have a KILLER product the growth will be easy.<p>I already have enough users/customers go get feedback on what the market wants. It's irrational for me to spend a massive amount of time trying to get other people to use it vs just building a killer product that people love.<p>What these companies are doing is trying to fake product/market fit by giving away "money" when they should be using that to try to understand why users don't like their product.<p>If you have something <i>amazing</i> people will use it. You won't need these gimmicks.