The loss of US$15 million in venture capital financing three months earlier had left the principal owner of QuixotiCo devastated. His company worked with Internet startups to boost their sales in exchange for a portion of the net sales increase and an equity stake. His search for financing his company had been fruitless. He had another idea to make some money in the meantime and launched Fat Thursday - networking events held at local bars and clubs for people working with, or interested in, the Internet business. Fat Thursday was successful in New Orleans and he wanted to expand to 50 other cities. His challenge was to find an alternative means of funding this business without involving the capital markets.