You guys are wearing some seriously focused blinders here.
Writing software (like a search engine) doesn't require millions of dollars worth of machine tooling just to get started. Manufacturing running shoes does.
The vast majority of businesses are nothing like modern software (which has virtually no startup costs beyond your own time).
Patagonia started with Yvon Chouinard building mountain climbing equipment in cooperation with a machinist and basically out of a shed. There are hardcore runners who would pay top dollar for this cutting edge technology. These early adopters are the INVESTORS in this product, in this brand.
Writing software (like a search engine) doesn't require millions of dollars worth of machine tooling just to get started. Manufacturing running shoes does.
The vast majority of businesses are nothing like modern software (which has virtually no startup costs beyond your own time).