HTM already produces state of the art results - it just solves different problems than most people have worked on to date. HTM is really only a powerful subsystem by itself; I don’t think that HTM by itself will ever be “enough” for a complete solution for anything.
Most of what I have seen (yes - even here on this forum) are people that want someone else to write an engine for them and then tweak a few things to make it work for whatever problem they are trying to solve.
It will take someone that understand what functions HTM brings to the party and the know-how to combine it with other sub-systems to make it shine. I have not met very many people that have the right skillset to see how to blend HTM with other parts to make a complete solution.
What is that skillset you ask? A deep knowledge of neural networks combined with a working knowledge of neuroscience and the functional architecture of the brain, practical experience with complex systems, and an experienced programmer. It would be helpful to be a seasoned electronics engineer. Being an aspie with OCD would be an asset. These are not the kind of things you find in your average grad student. Most professors tend to be good at one or two of these things but not the entire set. Once this unicorn tackles the problem and publishes the pathway to enlightenment it will become mainstream.
And that is why HTM is not mainstream yet.