If your customers won't pre-pay, then I'm not sure you can count them as pre-sold. Do you have any sort of formal commitment?
If you're just assuming they won't pre-pay, then it might be a costly mistake. At least ask them - offer a discount or some sweet deal for taking a chance on you - at least a few of them might pay.
You're right that hiring a firm might get complicated, but hiring a solo developer could work.
Unless you are offering something other than equity - a chance to work with a team with a great track record, backing from investors, some unique ground-breaking technology - I'm not sure why anyone would want to work for free.
Comments
If your customers won't pre-pay, then I'm not sure you can count them as pre-sold. Do you have any sort of formal commitment?
If you're just assuming they won't pre-pay, then it might be a costly mistake. At least ask them - offer a discount or some sweet deal for taking a chance on you - at least a few of them might pay.
You're right that hiring a firm might get complicated, but hiring a solo developer could work.
Unless you are offering something other than equity - a chance to work with a team with a great track record, backing from investors, some unique ground-breaking technology - I'm not sure why anyone would want to work for free.