This is something I've been struggling to understand with some of the startups I read about on here. My lack of understanding is probably to do with the fact that I'm not an entrepreneur, nor do I desire to be. What I'm missing, though, is why these people want to simply start a company.

I get wanting to start a company around your idea. In that case, the company isn't the goal but rather the medium for pursuing the goal, which is to push your idea/product. I don't understand wanting to start a company for the sake of having a company.