I'm not sure I agree with his final conclusion that the best startups are somehow profit-agnostic. It sounds like he is romanticizing both successful startups as well as bands.
It's reasonable to assert that founders who truly care about their product may, on average, fare better than those who don't. However, it feels a little presumptuous to interpret the motivations and ambitions of all successful and admired musicians / artists / founders, en masse and from afar.
Would anyone argue that Amazon was not founded with profit as (at least) a prime motivator? How about Apple or Microsoft?
Moreover, even if not chasing monetary fortune, people can still be motivated by a multitude externalities such as recognition or fame - both of which != passion for the product.
TLDR; The conclusion the author draws is hand-wavy at best and paints a decidedly black-and-white picture of the musical scene and startup ecosystem.
Nothing is ever black and white. I think the author was trying to imply that any venture (band or startup) should be built on passion rather than money. Profit and wealth is a serendipitous reward for hardwork and passion.
It's reasonable to assert that founders who truly care about their product may, on average, fare better than those who don't. However, it feels a little presumptuous to interpret the motivations and ambitions of all successful and admired musicians / artists / founders, en masse and from afar.
Would anyone argue that Amazon was not founded with profit as (at least) a prime motivator? How about Apple or Microsoft?
Moreover, even if not chasing monetary fortune, people can still be motivated by a multitude externalities such as recognition or fame - both of which != passion for the product.
TLDR; The conclusion the author draws is hand-wavy at best and paints a decidedly black-and-white picture of the musical scene and startup ecosystem.