Agreed on the 2x every year or two being a weird failure state. I've done both, and I'm at a junction point right now, but I really think a huge part of going all in on the VC route is finding the right money to work with. I've been mostly technical, hidden in dark places all my life. I love having the chance to be customer facing, i love the business side of my work, but doing that with the wrong backers is so unappealing i'd rather not have their money.
Edit: just skimmed your prior post (https://mtlynch.io/i-sold-tinypilot/). Great stuff, love the transparency!
Mostly the sale. The deal closed in April, but Jan-March was an especially profitable quarter.[0]
[0] https://softwaremisadventures.com/p/michael-lynch-on-quittin... (2022, two years into the business)
[1] https://softwaremisadventures.com/p/michael-lynch-indie-hack... (2024, just after I sold)