This is happening. I personally know of 3 Kickstarter -> VC-backed startups, and I'm sure it's more widespread than that. Kickstarter serves projects that are

This is happening. I personally know of 3 Kickstarter -> VC-backed startups, and I'm sure it's more widespread than that. Kickstarter serves projects that are on a continuum from "pure" art (uncommercializable) to pre-sales (already commercial), so a transition to a full-fledged commercial endeavor makes a lot of sense for many many projects. There will still be a lot of amazing Olympic amateur projects, I hope/expect!