I wonder if it some of it stems from the fact that, kinda sorta, realistically anyone (myself included) is able to spin up a server and start a project that interacts with the blockchain with relative ease -- rather than developing a system that is somewhat convoluted and only accessible to those with deep pockets and ample time.
I'm a relative newcomer to open-source projects, but the entry-barrier seems relatively low and welcoming to hobbyists. Maybe some combination of blockchain-transparency, and low-barrier to entry/startup has put most "traditional investors" in a position where they don't feel they could adequately protect / differentiate their project?
On the flipside -- I've heard (no firsthand experience) that it takes a rather large capital investment to corral the virtual resources required to develop on EOS, which would have some kind of natural "filter" implemented that gives an advantage to those with capital to invest.
Long story short:
- It's a collaborative ecosystem where you do better if you reward others (theoretically);
- It's (relatively) easy for ANYONE to try starting a project;
- It's (relatively) easy to try to figure out how anyone else's project is working (or at least glean some information from blockchain transactions) -- which may make it easier to copycat? (same can likely be said for any other chain though);
- The above factors, I imagine, would go a long ways towards removing the edge that traditional capital investors would have...
That said -- I don't know my asshole from a hole in the ground. So who knows.