I think it’s harder stage because trying to sell just an idea or have others supporting it is not easy compared to a finalized product. it’s harder to market an idea rather than a working finalized product in hand. As of my past experience, I used to work in an Innovation center. It is a lab working on newer technologies trying to reach out to the market. A lot of the companies like it as an idea but they won’t invest in it till it is a more mature solution, which some time hold the project back for a long time could be months or a year. Also, companies will not invest in new Idea unless they trust you and like your older product.