This metaphor might also work for delaying actual revenue because until the box is opened - that is we start charging real money for this software/service the s

This metaphor might also work for delaying actual revenue because until the box is opened - that is we start charging real money for this software/service the state is unknown. That unknown is then subject to interpretation and forecasting and one may indeed find VCs with very optimistic interpretations. However, as soon as the revenue box is opened revenue becomes a tracked metric and the answer starts collapsing toward some reality. If that reality doesn't measure up you cannot raise more capital and you have killed off the cat of optimism that was still possible before opening the box.