You are wrong. Many, many engineering companies started without requiring a solid chunk of cash to start. In Germany it is quite common to start that way even

You are wrong. Many, many engineering companies started without requiring a solid chunk of cash to start. In Germany it is quite common to start that way even today. Many startup folks consider this old fashioned. But it is the most engaging and valuable way to start a companies. Because then your about skills and providing real value and not for that fast money with a fast exit. You don't want an exit at all. 3 friends of mine started in the 90s a tools and services companies for the automotive world. They are now all 3 retired and moved to company to a trust fund so that no other company can ever own that, so that this company can exists for ever. Compared to the US. Remember DEC, HP, SUN, Silicon Graphics, and alike? All companies got sold at on time to another and basically disappeared with that. Yes, "bootstrapping" is the old fashioned way in the old fashioned world to start companies.