As the first paragraph of TFA points out, the VC is always a chicken. They're not "committing big-time" so that appeal falls flat. If someone wants to take a risk because their partner is taking a risk that's fine, but anyone who takes a risk because a VC will be a little put out otherwise is a sucker who has over-delegated responsibility for making strategy decisions about their company. True pigs won't turn chicken around VCs. ;) They'll take the risk of displeasing a VC along with all of the other risks mentioned.