It's exactly to avoid these kinds of issues (and perhaps a little for union-related issues) that entertainment production companies return unsolicited screenpla

It's exactly to avoid these kinds of issues (and perhaps a little for union-related issues) that entertainment production companies return unsolicited screenplays and ideas unopened. Since unsolicited business plans and ideas basically never get funded, it's a little surprising that VCs don't follow that same policy. In Facebook's case, my guess is that you've got no chance at a "grant" unless you put together an app to demonstrate at least a little of what you want to do. And be wary of comparing it to YC. Besides requiring more than an e-mail (and informally promising not to blab about your product), YC is on top of you for three months in carefully structured environment. They don't just give you some money and wait to see what happens.