I dont think that is the real answer to the question they were looking for. That is bitcoin and not Nxt.
The real answer is probably yes to the question.
Bitcoin early adopters still had to mine their coins. Nxt founders did not have to mine their coins.
You could invest and mine for Bitcoins and you could invest and be a steakholder for NXT too. They both require an action. You can still mine or buy NXT tho while it is cheap.