I agree networking events generally consume a great deal of time. Perhaps you could try to be a more strategic. That is, at least get an idea of what your idea

I agree networking events generally consume a great deal of time. Perhaps you could try to be a more strategic. That is, at least get an idea of what your idea client / collaborator would be like. For example, if you are interested in health and fitness, then make contact with SMEs who have gyms, sports stores, provide boot camps, etc. Still on that same track, google to find some forums and directories and find out who might be interested in your area. Ok, sport and fitness might not be your ideal, but the same principles apply to any general area. I firmly believe that you need to build up an interest in a specific domain/industry in order to find opportunities. The recommendation to scratch your own itch leads us to build stuff for other hackers/programmers and thus end up in a small and over-crowded market.