[anonunivgrad]

Yes, I've thought about this too. But almost all successful businesses eventually go under[1]. Whoever was holding the potato last gets an egg on their face. That doesn't mean that the business was a "failure" though. It succeeded wildly during its heyday, making livelihoods and sometimes fortunes for many people, employees and shareholders alike.

I'd love to read something more about this line of thinking from someone more knowledgeable in the area.

[1] I think, but maybe not! It would be interesting to trace the "capital lineage" (made-up term) of various successful businesses from the late 1800s through today, for example.