bcd, i think your theory and FJ's thoughts on this previously make a lot of sense. The thinking from the partner's perspective could be, look give me a stake in the company, and make me the first partner. I'll do what it takes to get the first prototype product out the door asap that is "Powered by Poet", and Poet won't have to front any of the R&D capital requirements beyond technical guidance from Taylor et al.

So it could be a win-win. The partner is motivated to make the tech work, as they have an equity stake, and Poet gets to lock down their first partner with a firm commitment to commercial production.