I used to think this way and then I realized "whats the difference between a company that raises $100M to put it all in sales & marketing, and one that raises $100M to acquire a business with paying customers"
The answer is the latter one is much easier to do.
I don't really care which is easier. Neither are easy, but the latter provides value to more than the con artist, while the first does not.
You're being tricked into thinking there is "one way to build a business". There isn't.
Please do tell. What exactly do you mean "from scratch"?
On the other hand we have two founders who within a calendar week decided to raise money, did raise money, and made a successful bid for a company.
One of these things is not like the other. One of these things is actually hard. Sing it with me!