Whenever founders sell part of the business to other parties - either through VC investment or IPO, they (the founders) are now bound to the agreement of return

Whenever founders sell part of the business to other parties - either through VC investment or IPO, they (the founders) are now bound to the agreement of returning on that investment and providing value as a (the) core focus of doing business. If you don't want to be beholden to third parties, then don't sell part of your business.