I suspect the difference is in the perceived upside potential of the relationship. The news media has been conditioned to think of "startups" and "entrepreneur

I suspect the difference is in the perceived upside potential of the relationship. The news media has been conditioned to think of "startups" and "entrepreneurs" as being backed by VC money and taking shots at really big targets. Even if 98% of these bids fail, the ones that succeed are mentioned in headlines stating "So-And-So raises $500,000,000 and promises to be the next big Whatever.ly" On the other hand, when you think of the small-business owner at the copy shop down the street, you see an upside of maybe expanding his one shop to three shops. The downside is that he'll welch on his bill if money gets tight. Who would you rather do business with?