This is the fine line that venture companies must walk. I'm quite certain POET management, whoever it was, knew deep down the complete process from concept to production was always years into the future. 

The problem is, due to the nature of financing, you cannot ever present that to potential investors. They don't want to hear "yeah we have a game changer but it won't be completed for 8-10 years "

That gets you no support. From a marketing standpoint you have to imply that things are always iminent and around the corner. That's just the nature of the beast we call investing