They've identified their markets. They've created a prototype of their product. They've secured key strategic partnerships. They've lined up some initial customers who are eager to purchase MicroWidgets just as soon as production starts. They present their business plan to one of Silicon Valley's most respected venture capital firms, Vulture Ventures.
Vulture loves the plan and decides to fund the company.
MicroWidgets are the hot new thing. Good salaries, excellent benefits, nice job titles, and a possible bonus if the company does well. A piece of the ownership pie, a seat on the board of directors, input into the decisions of the company, equity. People don't want to work that hard, sacrifice that much, give up their best ideas, just for others to own it all. Yet, every day, all across America, companies act out a version of this scenario with their own employees.