All through these phases, not a single person gains anything interms of money (Im not in favor of minting money, per se). So, our
Hmm.. You can sell the software. Who is stopping you from it. Even software production houses can make software and distribute the software under a non-restrictive license., I mean can sell the software. Many establishments ask for "support service". You can provide them support and hence charge for that. In fact when your company develops a Free Software the production is high. You dont have to start from scratch. You'll definitely have a project to start with. And the community will do the testing for you.
develop their own s/w for customers. Is this the essence of Free Software in a nut shell?
No. This is a business model. But it is not the essence of Free Software. Its not the only way to raise funds. Companies can do really well by producing Free Software.
Cheers, Joe