What I mean is that typically these types of companies drive to support all platforms (including web), diluting their ability to execute. Instagram focused on excellent execution for a narrower user base and won over a large number of users. Considering the demand for an Android app, they held out for a very long time, until they were able to bring the same level of execution to that platform.

This isn't "connections." This is called an investment. It is because those investors realized the potential here and invested in the company. Maybe I read it wrong, but your post made it seem like there is some kind of unfair advantage they had because they "knew a guy who knew a guy." Only after they proved their ability to execute did they take significant funding and gain those connections.