Startup issues: invisible delay then blocked GUI thread

On first launch of QtC 15.0b1 after install:

• Tiny license fetch popup flashed by quickly (good!)
• 5-10 seconds of no activity or visual indication that Creator is loading (bad!)
• GUI appears and immediately blocks for ~30 seconds (worse!)
  

On subsequent launches, the periods of nothingness and of GUI blockage are significantly shorter, but still too long. Today's users expect a visual indicator (such as a splash screen) that background work is occurring, and that the GUI elements will not appear until they are ready to be interacted with.