POET was asked to do the 100nm.

Not sure if it was requested like: "We're very interested, we've never seen anything like this! But we need to see if you can demonstrate fast hole mobility in GaAs. If so, we'll partner, or make an offer." Or if it was: "We're not interested at the moment, we've heard this kind of thing a million times. If you want to be taken seriously, come back when you can prove you've solved the problem of the p-channel in GaAs"

But POET was asked to show that they can make 100nm transistors.

I am certain of this.