I think the way this works is: 1. Meet potential benefactors 2. Establish a reputation for making something, shipping it AND…make a profit with it. 3. Have g

I think the way this works is: 1. Meet potential benefactors 2. Establish a reputation for making something, shipping it AND…make a profit with it. 3. Have great idea 4. Ask one of the benefactors to fund you. 5. Bonus points: meet benefactors NOT obsessed with going public / liquidity events but would rather own companies to help build other companies 6. Remember when negotiating your stake, 100% of $0 = $0. Definitely negotiate what you’re worth, see item 2 for increasing your worth.