You're right, but perhaps it is slowly changing. YC et al. have shown funding sparks in small amounts makes sense. That should trickle down eventually. For me

You're right, but perhaps it is slowly changing. YC et al. have shown funding sparks in small amounts makes sense. That should trickle down eventually. For me personally, I could see investing in sparks if the teams were right. At that level, you need to really believe in the people. It's hard when they have no history, but I think connections are possible. In particular, as a hacker entrepreneur, I think I can decently spot other people with that mentality.