I struggle to believe there can be any 'tech' that can't be rapidly copied in a note taking app (correct me if I'm wrong)
And it's not _that_ well known either so it's not like they're buying into a massive mainstream thing.
I don't get it.
* org-roam: https://github.com/org-roam/org-roam
* Obsidian: https://obsidian.md/
* Athens: https://github.com/athensresearch/athensUX should be relatively easy to copy, but it seems (at least to me) that many people have a hard time copying UX. Many people will copy features or appearance, but their execution usually lacks something. This is not a dig: most people don't get it.
There are a few people who do, and when they create something new, only afterward does it seem so obvious.
This is just my take.
For one, people download and use note apps, so I think there's an inherent curiosity about whatever the next one is. And if anyone can get a critical mass to the point that it's a de facto note-taking app for 'most people', people might become accustomed to the idiosyncrasies and add-on features that the 'winner' note app provides.
There's no good reason for there to be a 'winner' note taking app, but I also don't think there's any good reason for there to be a winner video conferencing tool, or a winner office suite, but we have those.