Crowdsourcing is a great way to approach creation because in any given point there's always somebody on the Internet who knows something better than you do.

Sales fixes everything.

Don’t be discouraged by the size of your network – inspire one person and you are doing good.

Skillful pitching... is a necessary, but not sufficient, part of raising capital. More important are the realities of your organization: Are you building something meaningful, long lasting, and valuable to society?

If you truly don't have competition, then zoom out until you can define some. Competition can be as simple as the reliance on the status quo, Microsoft (since at some point Microsoft will compete with everyone for everything), or researchers in universities. Pick something, because saying you have no competition at all is a nonstarter.

Accept diversity and don't take any crap.

The telephone operator has one of the biggest roles in creating your organization's image....indeed, many people may come into contact with no one except your operator.