Or, O(n^2) companies are founded and run by people motivated solely by making lots of money, while O(n) companies are there for multiple reasons: passion for the topic, making employee's lives better, and helping their customers solve problems. Though those motivations exist at O(n^2) companies too, they are in the shadow of making money. While, at O(n) companies, money is also essential, but it exists to support the other goals. A slight shift in priorities can make all the difference.