Many entrepreneurs working in a Web nowadays are thinking about investing their own money into their projects - and that is enough smart. Frankly speaking, it really can improve business ideas and models of many of startups -- because spending your own money isn't the same like raise money and shut down. It is different. I enjoyed this article in NY Times - For Start-Ups, Web Success on the Cheap telling us about Meebo startup. It is a good, no - terrific example of explained above:
When Seth J. Sternberg and two colleagues started Meebo, a Web-based instant-messaging service, they didn’t go looking for venture capitalists. Using their credit cards, they financed the company themselves to the tune of $2,000 apiece. It was enough to cover their biggest expense — leasing a few computer servers at $120 a month each.
This is a terrible risky step, but this way those guys putted themselves into condition where they needed a success. They didn't try to find "bridge back", they just stepped strictly ahead. Like other companies (i.e. 37signals) they created working and good product, with all their responsibility and just followed the way up. Two thumbs up! Even me, who is not an ICQ/GTalk/IM-lover at all -- I did try their service.
Dreaming about your startup? Create something, then launch, and prove it can work by yourself completely into it. Angels and VCs will be knocking your door, then, and not vice-versa.