If you can make a product which users are prepared to pay for - even in a basic 'minimum viable product (MVP)' sense, then you can 'bootstrap' your way to profitability. Not having money up-front is actually a positive. You focus, laser-like, on building something of value that users are prepared to pay for. Then, with a working product and business model you'll find it much, much easier to raise money - and at a decent valuation. If you'd like to read more, Paul Graham or the guys at 37signals have written plenty online about starting up in this way. Happy to talk on a call if you're interested in learning more on this approach.