If the early stage investors' criteria were based on startups' revenue forecasts, then yes, the metaphor would apply.
However, that's not the case. They pour the money expecting for more money to be poured in later, by others. Granted, I'm oversimplifying here, but the simple existence of such criterium is "symptomatic".
The analogy you are stating doesn't sound right.
If the early stage investors' criteria were based on startups' revenue forecasts, then yes, the metaphor would apply.
However, that's not the case. They pour the money expecting for more money to be poured in later, by others. Granted, I'm oversimplifying here, but the simple existence of such criterium is "symptomatic".