From an incremental improvement side, probably, but from a new product side, definitely not. You didn't get the Model T, the Macintosh, Edison power and light,

From an incremental improvement side, probably, but from a new product side, definitely not. You didn't get the Model T, the Macintosh, Edison power and light, etc because of some dedicated people already at their jobs, you got them via outsiders starting their own businesses and, yes perusing personal wealth, while pushing out the old guard. All the while the old guard kept most of the innovative people making TPS reports instead of doing worthwhile things. Most innovators have to flee their day jobs to do what they want to do in their field. Ford didn't make a better saddle, he made a better horse. The Model T had to come from the outside to disrupt horse and buggy and the only way to really do that is via a capitalist approach. Pursing of wealth is one of the major motivators here and there's nothing wrong with it. tldr; incentives matter