Author's description of startup reality is certainly plausible, however I believe author's view is too grim. Startup is where ideas that nobody are willing to try otherwise are implemented. Theoretically bigger corporations with far greater resources can do it, but we all know that's not how it happens. From the corporate viewpoint it may be "low-overhead, low-risk R&D", but as a society we all (arguably) benefit from it -- monetary incentive helps it for sure.
