Which do you value more highly, startups that are built to change the world or to make money? –mikeytom
The answer is obviously both. Let’s look at it at a micro level and macro level. Lets say you start a plumbing business. A plumber certainly saves the world. When my toilets don’t work, my world is over. And one person at a time, the plumber does the job that nobody else will do that is incredibly helpful.
If a plumber wasn’t helpful then plumbers wouldn’t make as much money as they do.
If you can’t help someone with your business then your business is no good.
Look at the biggest businesses: Apple, Exxon, Intel, Microsoft. Without them we wouldn’t drive cars, heat our houses cheaply (compared with 50 years ago) or have computing or be reading this article. They have clearly saved the world (unless you like living in a cave).
The businesses I started that were not helpful to people, failed. The businesses I started that had a mission that I passionately believed in, all succeeded. Remember, though, it’s ok to save the world one person at a time.
A missionary passion will equal success and wealth.