I don't know what their business plan is, but the data, from either their receivers or ones that people build using the Raspberry Pi stuff, is the same. It isn't as if their receiver gets more accurate data, so in the long run if they can get people to put $50 to $ 100 bucks towards it just fiddling around out of curiosity, they are a lot better off than trying to populate the country with their own equipment.
I was approved for a receiver then got waylaid, and that was both before many were in place around the country and before the alternative tools (our own receiver stick and RaspPi) were available, so I'm sure they were a lot more eager to furnish receivers years ago.
In any event, keep your fingers crossed if you are interested in their equipment and let us know what ever comes of it all.
Dale