this is what the salesforces of the world do to startups every day. it is so painful to watch. billions upon billions wasted for just the stupidest possible reasons.
Let's also take a moment to begrudge how government's guiding mission isn't to reap profit off its citizens. Are you even really American if you don't want your leaders to milk you for every cent you're worth?
On the other hand, many startups don't do anything usable enough that people would pay money for, and their only 'exit strategy' is to be bought by one of those large companies and then dissolved after a year or two.