>Exactly. Having someone there onboard who will push the product into life is, at least, helpful, if not a must. Trouble is, you never know who would that be, who's in charge of signing the check, who would help you and who will just look helpful and start gossiping the moment you leave the room. I've been surprised both ways a few times.

It's called a "Project Sponsor", and it is a "must". Walk away if no one steps forward.

(A Chief Financial Officer, in the case of a "financial app", for example).