Wow, this is horrible advice.

1. You have to take risks sometimes. He's done good work and it's worth putting some cash behind it (if necessary).

2. It's not a hobby. It's a business or a research project. In either case, it's a serious thing.

3. This project could be a money-maker in two ways: corporate sponsors for a research project, or corporate clients for a business product.

4. I agree with the take it easy part, but not the other part.

5. That's a joke right?

6. That's also a joke right?