I agree, but I would guess the deals looked something like equity, first right of refusal on acquisition, some level of access to IP, and maybe something like timed or category exclusivity in exchange for investment.
I'd also guess that the money is going to mostly CapEx for infrastructure (facilities, automation, tooling, etc) and OpEx for headcount and sub-supplier NRE rather than to inventory. There are "cheaper" ways to finance something short term like inventory than giving up equity.
I'd also guess that the money is going to mostly CapEx for infrastructure (facilities, automation, tooling, etc) and OpEx for headcount and sub-supplier NRE rather than to inventory. There are "cheaper" ways to finance something short term like inventory than giving up equity.