[citizenkeys]

Work with an academic advisor so the classes for your masters degree plan align with a PhD degree plan. Do that and then work on the PhD. Then if you decide to quit early, you can at least earn a masters degree along the way while working towards a PhD.

[argonaut]

Given that the OP made no mention of any interest in a PhD, and in fact expressed an interest in startups, I think this is the completely wrong way to go.