I think it's because most startup founders are not very interested in getting hired. Hard to poach people who doesn't want to let down their team, and maybe the

I think it's because most startup founders are not very interested in getting hired. Hard to poach people who doesn't want to let down their team, and maybe the team is what you want anyway. Also easier to have a lock-in for a couple of years if it's tied to purchase of a company rather than just hiring somebody. In straight consultant companies this happens a lot. Only way to grow is to hire more consultants, and it's easier to get more people by aquiring whole companies and lock in the consultants for a couple of years. Good deal for everybody if you don't work yourself to death before cashing out.