So, I know most people here want to do the start up thing so as to be financially independent, getting all the work out of the way early so as to get onto the really cool hacks. But, our economy being as robust as it is, surely there are very rich people who would sponsor random promising hackers to do whatever, instead of slaving away for 6 months -> year on one very specific and narrow problem domain.
Our creative hacking, logical rigor, and awesome platform for idea modelling can have such a much more fundamental impact on society than all the web apps in the world. That's why pg's hacker philosopher idea is so cool! Who else is positioned like we are to revolutionize the world of thought? So, my question is, where are all these smart investors, with a vision bigger than just the monthly bottom line?
I, for one, do not wish to research ponies and rainbows. That is not to say they are bad, but I have other interests.
People don't do startups to change society. They do it to get rich. Changing society may or may not result.
People give away money either to feel good about themselves or to help accomplish a goal.
If a rich person's goal is "to change society", and a startup's goal is "to get rich", then the rich person will only invest in startups that will change society in the ways the rich person wants it to change. Which is what happens already.
But if a rich person's goal is "to get richer", then they'll invest in startups that they think have a decent chance in getting rich, regardless of whether or not they change society.
Therefore, the current system actually invests in more startups than your system.
So what are you proposing?
I guess a more direct answer to your question is: Nobody.