If you are really serious about this, you have to be committed. I see a lot of people with a good idea, waving it around at other people, expecting them to commit more money, time and soul, than they are themselves. I was one of those people, always talking up my latest idea. Then one day I just saw how stupid that was. I quit my job and told my family and in laws that I was going to make this thing happen (picture shouting matches). Turned my prototype into a product, spent my own money flying around the country trying to market it and to find partners. And the result was that people saw how committed I was to the idea, and wanted to get on board. I did get investors and partners. (Later it all bombed, but that is another story.) If you think about the reverse situation. Somebody who has so little committment to their idea that they want to sell it outright. Nobody wants to throw money at that person. Most people want to join forces with a winner. So if you are serious. Borrow money, hire programmers, form a company and get going. If the risk is too great for you, it will certainly be too great for VCs, investors etc.