I completely agree, but one thing to keep in mind is that Minix 3 just relatively recently got it's BSD license, and I think that was it's main limiting factor

I completely agree, but one thing to keep in mind is that Minix 3 just relatively recently got it's BSD license, and I think that was it's main limiting factor in the past. As for how it progresses, I can't predict the future, but I think something similar to it could easily get a good boost if it was embraced/pushed in the sector it's best at, eg embedded devices and iot. I work along-side scada systems and am constantly appalled at the state of security on systems.