In tech, it is this:
Stage 1: Graduate college and get hired by a growing company. Observe all you can about what works and what doesn't while networking with the best people. Ideally a public company so that you can participate in its growth through equity ownership (stock options, employee purchase plans, Etc.)
Stage 2: Found (or join as founder) startup composed of good engineers you know, that is funded by VC money. Build it up to an exit to get a bigger slice of the pie given your greater equity.
Stage 3: Found a new company where it is primarily funded by your founders and not VC. Build that company up to an exit and you and your friends collect the big bucks as you still own most of the equity.
At this point you're independently wealthy and can do what ever you want with your life[1]
It has been the "silicon valley dream" for a lot of people over the last 30 years. And since each stage is typically 4 - 6 years that is really a 15 to 20 year plan.
Doesn't work for everyone though, and I have observed that people who are on this trajectory and recognize they are unlikely to reach orbit (so to speak), can get pretty vicious. You have a relatively short window to decide if the current stage is going to meet your goals for that stage or not, and if a stage doesn't provide the necessary lift, you probably only get one additional shot at making it work. As a result this path also leads to a place of depression for some.
[1] Assuming along the way you've learned to manage your wealth in a sustainable fashion.