I can't verify the facts behind this article but as a software developer who has worked for several different startups and interacted with some of the biggest tech investors in different parts of the world, I can attest to the fact that funding channels in the technology sector are extremely tightly controlled.

There is a very strong herd mentality among investors in the industry; to the point that it appears as if all investment decisions are centrally-planned. With this in mind, I wouldn't be surprised if the industry turns out to have been funded by US government agencies.

For the most part, the tech sector is not meritocratic. The image of the successful entrepreneur having taken big risks and defied all odds is mostly fake. The reality in around 95% of cases is that these successful entrepreneurs were chosen (picked out of a crowd of applicants) by a big startup incubator or venture capitalist and then their company was pumped full of cash, round after round, until they got their big exit. There is no real risk involved; many entrepreneurs are simply paid to take money, grow their company's head count and keep their mouths shut. I've seen this pattern played out many times at different companies. I can't say whether government agencies have anything to do with this but something is definitely off.