The VC connects wealthy investors to nerds. There are few alternatives. You can self-fund by consulting and by setting aside money for your venture. That doesn'

The VC connects wealthy investors to nerds. There are few alternatives. You can self-fund by consulting and by setting aside money for your venture. That doesn't work. Can you elaborate on this part? Is this a pattern you noticed in many entrepreneurs? I can recall at least one successful startup that had to contract early on in order to get by. They were in my YC batch and they're now doing pretty well.