This I guess is the mystery to me. Projects like this are great. But how are people funding them? (AKA how can I get my own paws on some investment $$ to work o

This I guess is the mystery to me. Projects like this are great. But how are people funding them? (AKA how can I get my own paws on some investment $$ to work on cool database^Wother-systems-level tech? I'll even promise to try to make $$)