However, I will also try to get sponsorship. If I get some, then good, even if I don't, it's okay since I am not solely dependent on it.
What do you think about this approach?
I am genuinely how did you ascertain working on this will have enough demand for folks to hire you to do consultancy in this space? I have in .NET space and have never heard of this tool before.
Plus, .NET is not that popular either compared to proliferation of python/java/node.js frameworks
Look at HN job threads, .NET demand is very limited.
>Look at HN job threads, .NET demand is very limited.
I think it just isn't popular for startups or people who read sites like this. Claude says there are 6-8 million .NET developers
I think consultancy and freelancing is also a full time job. And a difficult job at that. When you're not on a gig you need to spend your time lining up the next gig.
If you think this approach is viable then ideally drop your existing job to half-day (if you can) and spend your other half day doing consulting and freelancing. Once that is covering your existing (100%) salary then you can quit your half-day day job, and spend your newly free time on open source projects.
I get that you'd prefer to just dive into the fun stuff. But that's a poor way to do it, and typically leads to poor outcomes.
If there's a market for consulting and freelancing then by all means go down that road to see if it's there, and if it is sufficient.
If you build out financial security first, then you will be free to indulge whatever passion you like. If you passion first then all that work will be lost when you inevitably have to drop it (because you'll be working for money again.)