This isn't anything new. Heck, the first season of Silicon Valley called this out with Peter Gregory backing a number of compression startups.
Interestingly for the OP, that same season featured Tech Crunch Disrupt. It's a bit ironic to see TC publishing this concept now as though it is a new revelation.
It makes sense to scatter a bunch of seeds on fertile ground, and then pick the strongest plant that shows the most growth. There are many kinds of smart, ambitious people; some will form teams that succeed, others will fall prey to unforeseen impediments, and not.
Interestingly for the OP, that same season featured Tech Crunch Disrupt. It's a bit ironic to see TC publishing this concept now as though it is a new revelation.