Having done almost too much work with venture capital guys the last few years... 1. The registered user base is a HUGE plus...a readily defined initial market is key to someone wanting to invest. 2. The product history and stability is a plus. It means that there are folks who know it out there and developers would be easier to come by for the platform. 3. War economy acutally creates an environment where some guys, some mind you, realize the time to invest is NOW. Waiting a few months for things to stabalize means you're part of the rush, not a leading edge thinker. 4. Venture money might NOT be interested in a shared investement plan with the user community because it would dilute their return...on the other hand it might allow them to get in with less money invested AND would be a huge marketing tool in the release of the new product by the new company. The deal could be structured to a VC's advantage that way but it wouldn't be as attractive for the "mom and pop" investor. 5. The down side as I see it is leadership. Venture guys invest in management teams. The product is right, the market is right, it will take the right management for venture money to be interested. I've seen VC's close down one company because the product was wrong and move the entire management team to another company in their portfolio where the product was right. I think if the right team was wanting and willing to take it on...the money could be found. That's my two cents...which you can invest anyway you'd like.