Absolutely!

I know a few who have done exactly that. They thought, "What if I do this?" - and then they ransacked their lifelong savings, went to the bank to beg for a loan, remortgaged their house and went for it. The risk was huge and they were aware of it and worked really hard to get the thing done and pay off the debts. I have nothing but admiration for them.

Then there is another group. They completely shunned the risk by shifting it on to the potential future buyers. When they burned through the first lot of investment they just went to the same potential buyers and asked for more, even though they had nothing to show them to justify it. They did not feel the pressure and the project was dragging on and on. And the prospect is that it will never be finished.

I am sorry but my decision stands. Show me a working product - not just a prototype, the actual product that I will receive when I put my money on the table - and I will pay. You do not have to have a warehouse full of them. I understand that I may need to pay for the production. But, "pay now to fund our research" without any accountability if things go south? No, thanks. Not again. I have burnt my fingers already.