I realize this is a good way to maximize value for investors, but is this a healthy way to grow new companies and build a better society? It's complicated, but

I realize this is a good way to maximize value for investors, but is this a healthy way to grow new companies and build a better society? It's complicated, but for startups the answer is Yes. If every auto company merged into one monopoly, society (other than the shareholders) would be worse for it. This is why anti-trust legislation exists. If startups create things that never existed before and wind up owning the market for a few years, society benefits. This is why patent protection exists. (Yes - it's abused in software, but that's another story) It's certainly not black and white. As a buyer, I may say "I'd rather have service X from many providers than one provider, but I'd rather have it from one provider than not at all."