This is a crazy idea. It probably won't work. But just in case you're weird enough to try it:
Startup Panhandling
1) Find the most crowded Starbucks that is visited regularly by a startup-y crowd (google, etc).
2) Sit outside said starbucks with an extension cord running to external power supplies from 7am-7pm.
3) Bring cheap at&t wireless 3g phone to tether for internet or rely on starbucks wifi (jailbroken iphone 3g maybe?)
4) Make a cardboard sign (or for more points, use an old beat-up CRT monitor) that says "Building software prototype - Any $$$ is appreciated." I'm sure you can come up with something much wittier.
5) Place some spare coins in an old laptop bag in front of the sign or monitor.
6) Earn $60-100 per hour from people dropping change and dollars into your 'hat' and offer to e-mail them when you finish your MVP.
The essence of entrepreneurship is "quid pro quo" please don't get into the habit of begging. Stay in an entrepreneurial mindset by thinking about how to create value or at least barter services. To understand who in Silicon Valley needs charity visit a Salvation Army location or a homeless shelter before you portray yourself "in need" of a donation.
That's great creative thinking - thank you so much! ;-)
We've been thinking more conservatively (which might be a mistake). I've been thinking of doing consulting while I'm in california, which should help sufficiently. We will possibly visit a few well frequented Starbucks for the cool bits of conversation anyway - I particularly miss the one closest to the apple store on University Ave in Palo Alto.
This might have been mentioned as well, but tutoring can be very lucrative for short term income. This is especially true for middle to high school students in prep schools.
$60/hour is one dollar a minute. I don't know if Starbucks even has that many customers on a sustained basis, let alone customers who aren't working on their own software prototypes on their own shoestring budgets. So I agree with your "crazy" disclaimer. Cute, though.
Startup Panhandling
1) Find the most crowded Starbucks that is visited regularly by a startup-y crowd (google, etc).
2) Sit outside said starbucks with an extension cord running to external power supplies from 7am-7pm.
3) Bring cheap at&t wireless 3g phone to tether for internet or rely on starbucks wifi (jailbroken iphone 3g maybe?)
4) Make a cardboard sign (or for more points, use an old beat-up CRT monitor) that says "Building software prototype - Any $$$ is appreciated." I'm sure you can come up with something much wittier.
5) Place some spare coins in an old laptop bag in front of the sign or monitor.
6) Earn $60-100 per hour from people dropping change and dollars into your 'hat' and offer to e-mail them when you finish your MVP.