I use indie for learning purposes.
When it goes serious, there will be enough money for pro.

You can attract publishers with the indie version, should be no problem due to my experience.

You can attract them even with a standard Lite-C project.
What really counts is gameplay.

A quote from a german consultant:
"Every poor devil is able to do shadow mapping nowadays.
You´ve to show unique and addicting gameplay."

Hard, but true.