Because most tech start ups in the valley are funded by private investors, and for them usually the best outcome is either an exit or an IPO. When the industry

Because most tech start ups in the valley are funded by private investors, and for them usually the best outcome is either an exit or an IPO. When the industry is dominated and controlled by this kind of funding, these goals end up idolized because that's just what rules the land. The VC wants to flip it to Google, the entrepreneur just hopes that he doesn't fuck up and that his investor gets his outcome.