How does a person or idea go from obscurity to prominence? How does a seed or fertilized zygote become a Redwood tree or a person? How does a virus amplify within its host and spread to new hosts? How does the on/off switching of transistors lead to productivity gains through software? How does a business idea become a multinational corporation? How does a trader become profitable?
The common denominators to these questions involves organized information, such as genetic code or an algorithm and a hospitable environment. Thus, for one to be successful, they need to either find the environment that is suitable for their system or adapt their system to the current environment.
Several paths to wealth include using other people's money, other people's time or expertise, and/or developing a system that that identifies and capitalizes on market inefficiencies.
Selling short term options seems to have a positive long term expectation because of rapid theta decay, with all other things being equal. If sound money management is used, one can more confidently increase leverage without creating undue risk of blowing up one's account.
The addition of sound, basic technical analysis will allow one to enter positions when conditions are favorable and to avoid maintaining a position during an unfavorable trading environment.
To reduce variance even further, one can either pursue a multiple low correlation asset strategy or use multiple entry points before reaching a full position.
To address the OP's questions, I propose the following:
1. Analyze the market(s) you are interested in and develop a system that has a positive expectation without curve fitting. The system should be robust enough to show profitability in a variety of market conditions.
2. Trade this system for, perhaps, a couple of years while making adjustments to your system as necessary.
3. Once your track record is established, look for funding.
Although my suggestions would take time to implement, you will be in complete control and will avoid the potential distractions a partner would bring. I mentioned earlier that one of the keys to success is using other people's time and expertise. However, my questions for the OP would address his willingness to put forth the sustained effort required in finding someone suitable for this task and properly maintaining that relationship.
No way I'm paying them since the incentive is totally skewed in this case.
