Silicon Valley likes to think of itself as a meritocracy, where anyone can show up with a suitcase and a great idea and get funded. But that's not really how it works. Most venture cash flows to entrepreneurs with a proven record, an elite educational background, or somebody plugged in to vouch for them. Very often, the backers with the cash are looking for somebody who reminds them of the last blockbuster company that made it big in the Valley, not the out-of-the-blue idea that's hard to get-- and even harder to write checks for. This talk will look at the status quo and present some ideas on breaking in for people who don't meet the profile.