[jsatok]

I'd rather raise money. For me, startups are all or nothing. I believe focus is critically important to an early stage startup. While splitting time between consulting and your startup gives you a broader view of the world, it spreads you thiner, and means you make less progress with your startup.

I always remember that 100% of nothing is nothing. If you really believe in an idea - enough to spend time on it - raise some money, don't worry that you now own a smaller part of it, and change the world.

[whather]

Agreed that focus is critically important to an early stage startup. However, raising money can sometimes take 3-6 months (longer in some cases) and that can distract the team just as much. I know startups that have died from spending too much time on fundraising and not enough on product.

If you could spend a month on a short-term contracting gig and bring in the equivalent of a small angel round, wouldn't that be a worthwhile option?

[jsatok]

Raising a small ($25k-100k) friends and family round shouldn't take you more than a couple weeks. I guess it depends on your startup, team and financial situation, but I feel it makes sense to take the dilution, and get going with your startup rather than putting it off while doing consulting.

[dools]

Geez if only everyone I knew put together had a spare $25k