Diplomacy Tips
hga: Actually, it seems to me that you have a very good mind for business, in that you understand enough about it to do the right things for your domain of programming.  I.e. you:Got concrete details on the proposed setup and insisted on getting them locked down on paper.Didn't do very much work (a couple of weeks) before failure to do the above and an unnegotiated adverse revision of your position plus other warning signs prompted you to cease work.Kept total control of the work you've done.Anyway, at this point, it doesn't seem like the startup is viable unless and until the "founders" are pared down to a smaller set who grok reality (like the importance of what you or any technical people are doing and the fact that they have nothing without that) and who are actually willing to put work into the venture.If there aren't any who do, then it's time to cut your losses; make your excuses and offer them the code for a suitable price (not that this will get them funded by anyone who has a clue, the latter will of course want to talk to you etc.).