While it is true a full formal proof of a C++ program, for example can take significantly longer and cost obscene amounts of money, that is not true when starting with this approach from the ground up.

There is also a certain level of compromise. By relaxing the requirements a tad, you can still gain many of the benefits while maintaining the light and nimble feel.

So why don't startups use this? Well because there are entrenched technologies that make it very difficult that have nothing to do with the merits of the approach itself.

It is up to us, as developers to take the charge and push for these techniques through open source development, advocacy, and training.

But to claim these techniques are a failure simply because startups aren't using them is pretty ridiculous.