This is a throwaway account. My main account is over 6 years old with 5000+ karma. I've also sold a company before for a small amount. I only bring this up because I know how this might sound. I've invented something powerful. It's software related, but nothing like what the patent trolls bandy about. I filed the provisional some months ago, but I'm having trouble making any progress with the business side of things. I've noticed a common pattern: 1. I'll get someone I know and trust (like an investor, or business guy with a history of helping people sell companies) to agree not to share the idea 2. I'll explain how it works 3. They'll get really excited, some have even given me small amounts of cash to stop me from seeing anyone else "while we hammer out the agreement" 4. They'll _completely_ flake out. Their main business might have a couple fires, or they'll have a first day as a CEO of a company they took over, or they're just busy flying around the world giving speeches, whatever. Frustrated with the lack of progress, I decided to try just warm / cold emailing a couple dozen VCs / angels and this is the pattern that emerges: 1. I contact them. 2. Nothing happens. What am I doing wrong here? I'm 100% certain that Google or Facebook wants this and I'm 100% certain that they don't have it. In my head the only question is what price they'll pay and who I should get introduced to. I was hoping a connected angel or VC would help with introductions and negotiations for a cut of the sale but I can't seem to get past people's spam filters. Has anyone here done something similar before? If so could you please tell me what I'm doing wrong?