e.g. lets say that the big initial cost of certifying the first version of the toolchain is $2 million. It will be more than that, but (probably?) less than $10

e.g. lets say that the big initial cost of certifying the first version of the toolchain is $2 million. It will be more than that, but (probably?) less than $10 million. And this doesn't include any salaries or costs beyond the time to get the big up-front work done. Let's say they were to sell just that one compiler version for 5-10 years. Then they need 800 licenses (which for developers of certified products, is actually quite a few) to make back the 2 million over 10 years. Suggestion: maybe a better possibility would be: find one customer who will pay at least a few million dollars. Then list the pricing as 'contact us' while they find a couple other large customers. Don't publish the low price/seat or the bigger customers may ask for lower prices.