I don't know why you are trying to make this a me vs them situation. Both situations are difficult in different ways and they are all real businesses.

"Your biggest challenge is walking into a room full of rich dudes and schmoozing for your pay cheque." - Sounds like you are trolling or alternatively incredibly naive.

"If you start a real business you can expect to take on debt". ... Real business? Come on.

No one in this thread is saying starting a business is easy - ice cream business is debt funded because you have a very definitive range of outcomes. Venture funding is completely different animal - failing to see that limits the value of your comment significantly.