Consumer tech is still a thing. You're almost certainly using a consumer tech device right now. As for R&D, there's little evidence that suggests the wealthiest amongst us are the biggest risk takers. One of the reasons people like Elon Musk get a lot of media coverage is because he breaks the mould, he's a wealthy individual taking big risks to better our world. There aren't that many people like him around. Even venture capital investors, who are (by reputation) open to risk, tend to stick to the safe bets.