If you are just looking for a mentor, try this platform: https://app.adplist.org/

Kickstarter campaigns can be tricky (if you do not make your goal you get 0). However you have a technical product so it can be doable. If you go that route, give yourself enough time to get your social media campaign up and running. Also beware of companies offering to do your campaign or social media - they are mostly vultures.

Having done startups myself I suggest you either go for debt (convertable) or a minority equity partner. Make sure all the paperwork is clean and the i's dotted and the t's crossed.

Dream Bigger!

If it is about lead generation then go to the source where the assets are made. Then study the buyers to develop your ICP.

This should be done in person, so you get to know the reality at the point of close. You can then offer your services to the dealerships selling the assets you can finance.

Writing a good review will enhance your reputation. Once your own studio opens, people will notice and the positive reflection will end up generating business for you.

Most important, it is the right thing to do.

1) Pay too much
2) Do not ask for terms
3) Do not look for alternative suppliers/products
4) Vague specifications
5) Pay too slow

1) Reputation
2) Suitability for your product/service
3) Competitors on market place
4) Financial costs
5) Upkeep requirements
6) Data privacy/ownership

1) Financing
2) Skilled Staff
3) Product/Market fit
4) Regulatory Burden

1) Platforms such as Alibaba
2) The Commercial attache at the embassy in the target country
3) LinkedIn

Transparency is extremely critical in such an ecosystem. But you also need people that will do what they promise and deliver on time.

That said, you can still silo information such as payroll or cost numbers. In other words Transparency does not imply access to all data.