This strategic investment notion actually gives me some hope for Wave (not the example specifically, but the broad idea).
My guesses are as follows:
1. Solms knows enough about software markets, particularly in e.g. gov to know if there is a market for a product, he believes there is, otherwise he would not have nudged himself into the position he is in (CEO of Wavx making all sorts of ambitious turnaround statements).
2. Wave's brand or lack thereof is prohibiting some sales, otherwise the hoopla over the launch etc makes no sense, he stated specifically he is disappointing in the launch>sales and moved directly onto the company (Wave) not the product (VSC) being the problem.
3. Solms and some of the new BoD blood are realists. The will deal if that is what the truth tells. If they need to go with a strategic investor, or do deep discounts (ooops, that didn't work) .... if they need to give more than they want to give then need trumps want, and strike a deal.
Wave strikes a deal, starts moving some product (none of the rocket nonsense though), the deal has consequences, but the company becomes a going concern, gets reasonable market valuations based on the business they can move, recognizing that valuations will be encumbered by whatever deal they need to strike.
I like it. Solms has shown a parting from the -me-vs-the-world SKS mentality some already, I expect to see more of it, but it will not be without consequences, good and bad (need trumping want).
The above content is my opinion.
