The principal reason for the founding of the Jamestown colony in 1607 was economic. Established by the Virginia Company, Jamestown aimed to profit from the resources of the New World, particularly through the extraction of precious metals and the establishment of trade. The colonists faced significant challenges, including harsh conditions, starvation, and conflict with Native Americans. However, the eventual success of tobacco cultivation transformed Jamestown into a profitable venture, laying the groundwork for future British colonization in North America.