For too many entrepreneurs and early-stage companies, outreach means two things: (1) a love-hate-need relationship with equity investors, and (2) praying at the altar of big pharma. Most rarely spend time in two critical habitats populated by critical stakeholders: venture philanthropy and government relations. These parts of the entrepreneurial ecosystem can provide funding where few deals have deal sheets; where support and value-add go far beyond the money. And, after an initial “tranche” of interest, they can be there throughout the medical product continnuum. Their patients are your market. Their constituents are your market. Avoid them at your own peril.