IMO, this is really concerning. A university, as an institution, is very different from a tech incubator. It is a place that should be somewhat removed from the commercial world where the idealists have a space to explore their interests without being subject to in-your-face money-making activity.
This also introduces a lot of complications. Say a professor starts a company, is it ethical for him to ask students to work for him? If a student starts a company, and an influential professor wants a board seat, can the 19yo student comfortably say no?
This also introduces a lot of complications. Say a professor starts a company, is it ethical for him to ask students to work for him? If a student starts a company, and an influential professor wants a board seat, can the 19yo student comfortably say no?