Investors don't "fish for ideas" because frankly multiple parties tend to come up with the same ideas all the time — so they're really investing in people. And

Investors don't "fish for ideas" because frankly multiple parties tend to come up with the same ideas all the time — so they're really investing in people. And a great way to weed out the non-serious is to have an old school application; because if you aren't willing to do that what else aren't you willing to do? Also if you find that the application is too vanilla then it's your job to find to shine within those limitations. Lastly it's not like anyone is forcing anyone to apply: If you really think you're the next Steve/Bill/Larry/Mark/etc. then you don't need outside validation to get going.