Ideally you can acquire the necessary skillset(s) by offering an appreciable chunk of equity. This always involves some networking. Keep in mind that all startu

Ideally you can acquire the necessary skillset(s) by offering an appreciable chunk of equity. This always involves some networking. Keep in mind that all startups are a gambit, and no one if doing anything "for free" if they're granted equity, but it can be difficult to find people with a like level of risk-aversion. And you're right, IME if there is not a lot of traction and interesting work to do, people will start wondering if their equity is worth their time.