If it's a "startup", then no: monetization should not be an afterthought. If it's just a project (even if its a very involved project) that you'll benefit from

If it's a "startup", then no: monetization should not be an afterthought. If it's just a project (even if its a very involved project) that you'll benefit from in other ways, then maybe. Right now, I'm (barely) working on a (project|potential startup) that I know that me and a few friends will have a ton of use for. I have a few ideas re: how to monetize it, but it's less of a concern for me right now. Right now, I'm just building a killer project for less than 100 people to use. If other people find it useful, awesome. If they don't, my goals will be reached with the project anyways.