Words are tools for communication. A word will always be a simplification of reality (and will always have edge cases), but the best words are labels for clusters of similar things. When a word describes a group of things that really do form their own cluster then it's a good word; when it describes a group that really splits into two or more distinct groups, or describes part of a group but not other equally similar things, then it's a bard work.
In many real-world aspects I'd argue that Atlassian is more similar to the corner laundromat than it is to e.g. Snapchat. How would you evaluate them when considering making a business loan? How would you consider the prospect of working for them? How would you sell services to them? What do you think their HR plans look like? Their client relationships? Their regulatory situation?
Wherever you draw the line there will be companies that straddle it. But in my book there is a relatively clean distinction between companies that operate in a way that's sustainable in the short term and companies that operate at a high burn rate, and it is well worth reserving the term "startup" for the latter.
In many real-world aspects I'd argue that Atlassian is more similar to the corner laundromat than it is to e.g. Snapchat. How would you evaluate them when considering making a business loan? How would you consider the prospect of working for them? How would you sell services to them? What do you think their HR plans look like? Their client relationships? Their regulatory situation?
Wherever you draw the line there will be companies that straddle it. But in my book there is a relatively clean distinction between companies that operate in a way that's sustainable in the short term and companies that operate at a high burn rate, and it is well worth reserving the term "startup" for the latter.