Great Topic.
Here are the traditional routes to seed the discussion:

1) Friends, Families, and Fools: These are the typical "three f's" that you go to first. You tap your friends who believe in you, your family who loves you, and any fool who believes in you. You might think fools is a harsh critique but if they aren't friends nor family and they are giving you money, well.... Of course to this fund you add your own money and this is where you start.

2) Angel Investors: these are a group of people who have lots of money and lots of time and want to do something fun. Mind you, you have to make a convincing arguement for how you are going to make their money back because they will ask for 3 to 5 times back the money they invested.

3) Venture Capital: Like angels but more organized. Generally they are interested in boosting a known company to greater heights. Angels will be willing to take greater risks where ventures need established companies. They will normally ask fof "5 in 5" or five times back the investment in five years.

4) Loans: This is a great route to take if you have lots of capital (homes, cars, land). A loan will not invest in you without collateral and so this is a good alternative to the Angels or Ventures.

5) Publishers: Why didn't I go here first? Quite honestly because I think these will be the hardest to get. This is because a publisher requires a known company with hits and experience and then they may or may not give you any money up front requireing you to do a reimbursement payout. A small publisher may give you distribution but not money.


Parting Shot 1: IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO SPEND YOUR OWN MONEY DON'T EXPECT OTHERS TO!
Parting Shot 2: IT'S NOT WHAT YOU KNOW, IT'S WHO YOU KNOW AND HOW YOU SAY IT!