If by "startup space" you mean the set of problems in the world that can be solved by tech startups, this is clearly not a pie that is carved up, rather uniquel

If by "startup space" you mean the set of problems in the world that can be solved by tech startups, this is clearly not a pie that is carved up, rather uniquely a pie that grows indefinitely. Startups, as a whole, benefit from other startups far more than they compete w/them. We in America or Europe can only benefit from an improved startup ecosystem around the world, as customers, investors and founders .. and most importantly as human beings. Many successful startups, for example, were directly conceived as ways to fix the problems of other startups. Indirectly, a startup such as Uber was only possible due to the mass adoption of technology driven by Apple, Google (and Samsung, Xiaomi etc) and an app ecosystem invigorated by hundreds of other startups. There is certainly competition within industries or niches, i.e. Uber vs Lyft. But the "startup space" is really about creating new (or at least re-configuring existing) niches in the "non-startup" world. So while I doubt this particular initiative will work, or even get close to returning the investment, we certainly shouldn't fear its success. Rather we should celebrate successful startups regardless of where it comes from, as it means that a problem has been solved and the human condition improved in however small a way. The idea that our species is going to run out of problems that need fixing seems a bit paranoid.