Why wasnt the chips that convinced sheperd and the dr to come on board enoug to convince new companies?

Aves, who's to say it hasn't? Remember, Sheperd and the Dr. are flexible and do not have a vested interest in a pre-existing technology (at least at the time), that they have spent billions on. Intel and the like do, and are committed to a plan of action now. Doesn't mean they don't have POET on their radar screen.