[bernatfp]

Oh, I hadn't got the part in which these small networks depend on a superset (ie university), I thought you were validating people yourselves.

In this case this change entails a higher leap. Then, consider talking again in how different is his proposition from what you want to achieve, and how better it is for him (as an investor who wants his investment to succeed) to go your way, not his way. Well, I assume you've already done that, but do it again. You should win him to your side or skip him.