If you are going to learn on a capital investors dime expect to have to pay out above market rates.These type of investors are looking at alternative investments for allocation of their capital.If you pay at 10% but they can get 9% with a proven track record performer then the 1% doesn't justify the unknown risk.

Use that to determine todays value,then discount the offer price to account for all of the unknowns.  

People will "google you" and an internet presence has more weight than an unknown website.The letter should be brief - the main point you want to come across is that you are here to give them solutions, help.

It's not easy just to leave your 6-figure job, which is perceived as secured, and dive into the unknown, and this is 2009 we're talking about. 

I think fear of the unknown is the number one thing that's holding me back...which is why I enjoy reading posts like yours.

Does the investor get your firstborn.A lot of unknowns.

Ben that sounds very feasible because as far as unknown banks only care about mortgages.

Congrats @Matthew Cole.onwards to a 100"A Big Shot is nothing but a little shot that JUST KEPT ON SHOOTING"- Unknown

Its something of one of those word problems from high school that translates into a "two equations in two unknowns" problem.  

Never saw a need to blame/hide behind some unknown owner/decision maker.