Here are two obvious ways that work (I've used both): - Save up for a 3 month runway, for example by freelancing on the side of your day job. - Do the startup

Here are two obvious ways that work (I've used both): - Save up for a 3 month runway, for example by freelancing on the side of your day job. - Do the startup on the side. Potentially dialling down you day job effort to 75%. Most startups will benefit from a pilot/MVP stage, perhaps you can reach that stage working only evenings? I suppose the real question is if you really need to maintain the same standard of living. If you have a well paid tech job you can probably survive not spending like someone making 250 k, at least for a few months.