Given that startups = rapid growth (PG's definition), this is another way of saying that moving new tech from the fringes to the mainstream is unlikely to be a viable strategy for startups.<p>If you can get those fringes in the beginning to fall in love with your product and make you ramen profitable though, then you might be able to hang on to the rising tide of the "gradually" part long enough to have something big on your hands, assuming you can keep your organization very lean and cost-efficient in the meantime.