Of course. But profits from say a year or two aren't going to be nearly as high as selling off 25% of the company for example.
To take this way past reasonable, consider Instagram. If they could convince someone to give them 250 Million for 25% of their company instead of selling the entire company, that would be huge FU money and they could keep running their company, while evening maintaining a majority stake. I could see that as a very tempting option.
Also, it allows the founders to diversify a bit. Consider that these people are multi-millionaires on paper, you wouldn't generally recommend they put all of their money into one investment, even if it is their own company.
To take this way past reasonable, consider Instagram. If they could convince someone to give them 250 Million for 25% of their company instead of selling the entire company, that would be huge FU money and they could keep running their company, while evening maintaining a majority stake. I could see that as a very tempting option.
Also, it allows the founders to diversify a bit. Consider that these people are multi-millionaires on paper, you wouldn't generally recommend they put all of their money into one investment, even if it is their own company.