Depending on what you will be making/producing, you could also look to grant funding for start up costs. Look at the NIH, DOD, even private funding sources like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. There is Small Business Independent Research money out there (SBIR funding). I am a scientist, and this is how science type businesses often start up. The Keck Foundation also has some good money available if you meet their qualifications. A friend of mine started a company with $400 of his own money, a couple of SBIR grants, and sold it in 7 years for 6.5 million. It can be done...