You're doing a software startup, so your costs should be minimal. You should be able to cover these costs by consulting for a few months at the beginning, then

You're doing a software startup, so your costs should be minimal. You should be able to cover these costs by consulting for a few months at the beginning, then living off of this cash. Just move in together in a cheap apartment, buy food in bulk, etc. It only takes a couple months of consulting to save up enough cash for a year.