Mad, mad props to Apollo's dev for being so transparent about it. Guaranteed they thought they could bully him into staying quiet about it and then closing up shop. He told them to pound sand and controlled the narrative. That man needs to do documentaries or reporting. Meticulous, knew how to talk to a crowd, and not afraid of corporations bullying him.
I think the real answer has to be that he gave them real numbers he expected them to pay. They all said wtf no but he promised similar numbers to his investors from the official channels.
People who are doing better then him (profit wise) at his own game bailed when asked for things he promised to deliver.