I'm not sure that the Sony Betamax vs. the JVC VHS format is an...

I'm not sure that the Sony Betamax vs. the JVC VHS format is an apt analogy here. The Betamax machines were hefty and more expensive to make compares to VHS. Additionally, even though the video quality was better, the VHS format allowed for longer recording times, something Sony didn't start doing until later. JVC also gained a further competitive edge by building its relationships with motion picture companies to distribute their movies on VHS.

Brainchip has made a low-power, inexpensive processor, and they are currently working on building those business relationships while they have one in hand. In addition, they are licensing the IP out of the gate. Sony was the only manufacturer of Betamax and had no pressure to reduce prices. It wasn't until the early '80s when they decided to license it to other manufacturers such as Toshiba, however they were already losing the format wars.