In the tech industry it seems like growth (or perceived growth potential) is the only thing that matters, profitability far less so (Amazon for example). Growth is what makes stock go up, so investors want to see growth every single quarter or they bail. If a tech company doesn't show growth, its stock doesn't stand still- it'll drop, maybe significantly. For publicly traded companies, executives can be replaced by the board if they don't deliver, and the board is supposed to represent the shareholders' interests (which for the tech industry means maintaining growth to keep the stock from tanking). It's a pretty messed up antipattern in the business environment IMO. The alternative is staying private, and perhaps limiting (or doing without) external investment.