There are options that are mid-way between pure profit-driven enterprises and public sector such as Bloomberg Philanthropies, 4ocean, Citizen Lab, etc. If you

There are options that are mid-way between pure profit-driven enterprises and public sector such as Bloomberg Philanthropies, 4ocean, Citizen Lab, etc. If you are of the hacker mindset, you could also hunt bugs through any number of programs—you make a living and software gets safer. There are an almost limitless charities that all need quality staff to help their missions; technical or otherwise. You did not say what you were looking to to but charity organizations typically have horrible tech. Then there are the nonprofits that work in the public interest. Great options in health, policy, environment, etc. Also foundations and think tanks that tend to be purpose-driven and less motivated by profits. You could start a foundation, nonprofit, charity or other mission-driven organization! Never before has there been so much capital and so many great tools to form and run your own thing. Leverage your public sector network (after your cooling off period, if applicable). I feel your pain working in the public sector, but you have options and there is purpose and mission out there! Good luck.