“The first one gets the oyster, the second gets the shell.” -Andrew Carnegie
There is something known as the “first mover” advantage, the differential returns for those that are first to market or through the window of opportunity.
When you create the category, your name becomes synonymous with the product. Think Kleenex or Xerox. Yes, innovation carries risk but also immense upside as several TRILLION Post It Notes™ have been sold.
The old saying is that the meek will inherit the earth, and that is true because they will only get what is left after the fast have taken what they wanted first. As Iron Maiden sang: be quick, or be dead.