I'm really hoping that this one will help get me some start-up capital to pursue my path to purchasing multifamily homes.

Currently in discussions with representatives from Realized1031.com, a start up that sets up DST portfolios for 1031 exchangers. 

We've used our self-directed IRA for just about everything- Investing in the stock market, lending, partnering with others to purchase real estate for fix and flips;  investing in startups unrelated to Real Estate,..... 

Factor in start-up costs, competition levels, and your personal time commitment.

I am sure there are some in Dallas also.You could always start up your own group.

So the buyer had to demonstrate all the differences between his restaurant business, which was established and had several successful other locations already, and the previous new startup restaurant that had failed, to get over the "his type of business" = "a business of that same sort, at that same location, in fact in that exact same building, that had already failed, WTF makes you any different?" 

Add the interest earned to a pool and after 2 cycles pull your start up principal back and lend "house money". 

After 2 cycles pull your startup capital back then start your gap program with that. 

It's no longer secret that even in SF most real estates are bought by the startup of founders of the tech 21 bonanza.  

You've touched on a classic startup dilemma: the 'chicken and egg' problem.