> But you are forgetting #3, the one that actually makes up the largest proportion of businesses: 3- people that quietly, successfully, run their businesses in

> But you are forgetting #3, the one that actually makes up the largest proportion of businesses: 3- people that quietly, successfully, run their businesses in a sustainable, family and community oriented manner (not financial growth focused but personal growth focused) and then retire quietly surrounded by loved ones. I wasn't forgetting them, they just aren't relevant to a conversation about venture capital, at least to me. There are plenty of small bootstrapped startups out there, but their ROI isn't high enough to justify a gamble on the part of investors. Likewise with the businesses you're talking about. Yes the make up most small businesses, but most small businesses aren't looking for private venture capital, and don't fall into the category of what OP was claiming is "pump n dump".