I am doing something very similar right now with shipping containers. Personally, I don't think you should try to raise start-up funding for a business like this. If your credit is great, a small bank loan is all you need. People do this all the time and you're at an advantage because tiny homes are so cheap! If you don't want to take a loan, start looking locally and network with a developer in your area. They may have the Capitol and could be interested in a project like this (that's what we did).