I agree, technology ownership, interest in that technology and attaching partners to help you develop that technology while not guaranteeing success definitely improves your odds.
Mantra has
- under 100,000,000 of OS after 7 years of operations - recognition by high government officials (Canada) - a billion dollar company paid Mantra to improve Mantra's Technology (Alstom) - a billion dollar company entering into a 5 year with Mantra (Alstom) - a billion dollar company considers Mantra technology part of their future technology portfolio (GE) - a deal with a billion company to allow you to put up a pilot plant at one of their facilities (Lafarge) - patent protection of 3 products in their pipeline.(ERC. MRFC & Energy storage)
Three cheers and Bavarian Beers Around. Life is good.