>Is the only reason to create a startup to experience exponential growth and get really rich and have your own stock symbol?
No. But it is a huge motivator for almost every founder - and all who say otherwise are lying. It isn't hypocritical to be motivated by wealth AND by doing good.
When you start getting investment, then ... yes. The expectation is that your investors will make a 10x on their cash. You don't have to be VC-funded, and bootstrapping is certainly reasonable.
>Or maybe could someone create a startup that makes the world a better place without concern for getting oneself crazy rich?
Usually people with that attitude end up doing non-profits. Having said that, there is nothing quite like the burnout and disillusionment you experience after working for a nonprofit for a few years. I actively discourage working for or starting nonprofits because I've talked to enough people. Competition for funding (government or otherwise) is horrendous amongsts nonprofits, and pay is almost universally lower than market rate or downright abysmal. Typically the social good you're doing is not scalable and a band-aid over an existing social problem.
I live in a university town with a big startup culture and over the last few years I've seen many more recent grads enamoured with nonprofits than with traditional startups.
No. But it is a huge motivator for almost every founder - and all who say otherwise are lying. It isn't hypocritical to be motivated by wealth AND by doing good.
When you start getting investment, then ... yes. The expectation is that your investors will make a 10x on their cash. You don't have to be VC-funded, and bootstrapping is certainly reasonable.
>Or maybe could someone create a startup that makes the world a better place without concern for getting oneself crazy rich?
Usually people with that attitude end up doing non-profits. Having said that, there is nothing quite like the burnout and disillusionment you experience after working for a nonprofit for a few years. I actively discourage working for or starting nonprofits because I've talked to enough people. Competition for funding (government or otherwise) is horrendous amongsts nonprofits, and pay is almost universally lower than market rate or downright abysmal. Typically the social good you're doing is not scalable and a band-aid over an existing social problem.
I live in a university town with a big startup culture and over the last few years I've seen many more recent grads enamoured with nonprofits than with traditional startups.