Parental Investment Trade-offs
Early-stage startups allocate to survival (extend runway, avoid death) because future opportunities exist.
Red deer in Scotland demonstrate age-dependent parental investment trade-offs. Young mothers (2-4 years, many breeding seasons ahead) reduce milk production (0.8 L/day) to ensure their own survival (60% survival, 40% reproduction allocation) - losing one fawn but surviving to produce 8 more fawns over lifetime yields 7 net fawns. Old mothers (10-12 years, few seasons remaining) maximize milk production (1.5 L/day) at cost of own survival (40% survival, 60% reproduction) - this might be last fawn, better to maximize this offspring. Researchers tracked 200+ deer over 15 years: young mothers produced smaller fawns with higher maternal survival, old mothers produced larger fawns with higher winter mortality.
Business Application of Parental Investment Trade-offs
Early-stage startups allocate to survival (extend runway, avoid death) because future opportunities exist. Late-stage startups allocate to growth (last chance to capture market before exit window closes) because this may be final opportunity. Optimal allocation changes based on lifecycle stage.