This to me is a much more common path to success. You avoid debt, determine if there is a market, and stay flexible on your objectives. Once you take 500K or more you can become committed to a path of action just because of the funding and not wanting to appear wrong--I must be smart these guys gave me $500K. If you are willing to listen, you can learn much more from 30 prospects than 30 VC interviews. And it's often much easier to talk to 30 prospects (some of whom may even become customers). To me the time to start talking to VC's is when you have clearly identified a market opportunity that will benefit from additional investment because you are consistently exceeding your plans.