[soneca]

Great advice!

What worked for me is to contact friends who are now in a very good finantial position. I have a high school friend and 3 years ago, when I was starting with this startup thing, he told me that he would like to listen to my ideas if one day I needed investment. So, now I need, I am ready to make an investment worthy, so I went to him, he liked the idea and he said yes!

He is not "smart money", and not connected at all with the rest of the market or the VCs. But is someone I can trust, smart and have the money (he is investment banking). Good enough for me.

But even if this works, by all means keep creating this network with VCs, successfull founders and mentors.

Also, you didn't apply to YC because you thought you didn't fit the demographics?!?! WTF?!?! You are quiting a job to do something with very low chances of success and is influenced by stupid myth? C'mon! Apply first, raise doubts later!