One thing to note is that if you exercise options, then the cash...

One thing to note is that if you exercise options, then the cash paid to exercise ($1,000 in the example given) would go directly to the company, via the registry and less registry transaction fees of course.

You are, in effect, helping to fund the company directly when you exercise your options, and that is exactly why the options exist in the first place.

Share Purchase Plans and Exercising Options are 2 ways of funding the company directly.

All other on-market buying doesn't give the company any of your cash, the cash just goes to the other trader who is selling.