I agree that last part is what requires explanation, how can they have a bit more return on a lot more money. Answer is probably a combination of getting there

I agree that last part is what requires explanation, how can they have a bit more return on a lot more money. Answer is probably a combination of getting there first, thus leaving fewer opportunities for others in the data, and slight variation in how they approach the problem leading to discovery of extra capacity. Once you find something you have opportunity cost in changing your system. Island hopping an archipelago, once you find an island with a bunch of fruit, how likely are you to find another even better island?