I read it as "don't spend your time around self styled biz dev types (with no start-up experience)". In other words, MBAs (with no start-up experience).

>Even one of the YC W11 companies is founded by 3 people, all "biz dev" types.

Oh, really? So none of these guys program?

If half or one-third of your team is biz-dev right from the get go, and is not contributing to making your product kick-ass, you're doing it wrong.