We're in Belgium, which determines the main part of our question.<p>My friend and I have an idea that could have a nice future.
At the current stage it's just that, an idea.
My friend wants to go and get a patent in his name (it was his idea), and then start a company together, to THEN build the product.<p>This requires investment much larger than I can contribute (€5k), which would shit the company from a 50-50 split (me being the technical person, he being the one with the idea and money) to something which I think would not be good for me.
In Belgium there exists the option to start a BVBA, which takes around €18k, or we can start an NV, which takes ~ €60k.<p>I think it's completely crazy to invest all this money without even having a prototype or any non-paying customers.
On the other hand, I don't know how we could make something that people are willing to pay for without actually charging them and having them pay, without such an investment.<p>My thought would be to first create a prototype, get feedback and non-paying customers, to finally start a company and charge people.<p>I basically have 2 fears:
1) invest money without having 1 customer or even 1 user
2) get shafted (see: jobs & wozniak)<p>So who do I talk to, what do I research?