Yes. If you can chat with someone face-to-face you’re already miles ahead of an online application. I wouldn’t even say you need to have a solid network. I just reached out to people on LinkedIn (some of whom I didn’t know).
This is a great idea. The initial runway to get a product off the ground is a huge hurdle for every start up. I've personally been doing lots of contract and side work to fund my start up and it's a big distraction. Any one have any idea when Tiny Seed applications open?