The reason startup people are telling you to not do the deal with the bank: banks are large corporations that move extremely slowly. Even going from a verbal ag

The reason startup people are telling you to not do the deal with the bank: banks are large corporations that move extremely slowly. Even going from a verbal agreement to a signed contract may take 6 months. Then getting a check could be another 3 months. Any of those delays could kill you at any time, and the bank couldn't care less. So that's where the real risk is for you: too much imbalance between the two parties of the deal. That being said, you got to do whatever it takes, so if that's the only way to survive, then sure, do it. Talking to VCs will not be much faster anyway. Angels could help faster probably, if that works for you.