"don't have any cash or, for that matter connections" Game over. If you don't have anything of value to add, it's not going to work. It's like applying for a

"don't have any cash or, for that matter connections" Game over. If you don't have anything of value to add, it's not going to work. It's like applying for a job but saying, "I have no skills, but can learn on the job." "I'm of the school of thought that it's best to wait until you have a beta/MVP built and getting traction before fundraising rather than trying to get cash based on an idea." There's a big difference between an idea and evidence that people will buy a product. If you do enough quality market research, you can demonstrate the market potential of your product. You don't have to have a beta built before you can find out information about a market. And this is where you should start, because this is something of value that you can offer if you don't have cash or the ability to code. Learn how to find and evaluate good markets. Once you've found one, get funded and hire a coder to develop the beta. "Convincing someone to have faith in your business ability and commit to work for equity as a cofounder is the bigger challenge." That's because it should not be based on faith. It should be based on evidence. If somehow you can present facts that prove what you are trying to sell (yourself, your idea, whatever) then you'll be off to a good start.