They take what they fund. Also, when patents are involved, the big company that ends up acquiring it often uses it to <i>discourage</i> innovation outside their company. So, quite different from a patron model in practice due to incentives.<p>Now, this doesn&#x27;t stop a company or VC from acting like a patron. We&#x27;ve seen a number of them release open-source software, publish papers on working strategy&#x2F;tech, sponsor R&amp;D that is similarly public, and so on. I&#x27;m not sure what the percentage is but it shows the models aren&#x27;t exclusive. It&#x27;s just the incentives shift VC stuff far in another direction from Da Vinci or Michelangos making goods for the public. Really far per some billionaires. ;)