What are some sources for start-up capital for a new business or invention?

GO to nearest B school and visit any marketing or entrepreneurship department ,you will get proper guidance

By researching the prospect of starting your own business -- what it entails, what you need to know, helpful hints, etc -- you'll feel better prepared to take that plunge.

I found some book titles that are relevant to your specific question:

Finance Specific:
* Financing Your Business Dreams With Other People's Money: How and Where to Find Money for Start-Up and Growing Businesses by Harold R. Lacy
* The Small Business Start-Up Kit by Peri Pakroo, Peg Healy (Editor)
* Finding Money: The Small Business Guide to Financing by Kate Lister
* Free Money for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs by Laurie Blum

Inventor Specific:
* From Patent To Profit: Secrets & Strategies For The Successful Inventor, Third Edition by Bob Dematteis
* How to License Your Million Dollar Idea: Everything You Need To Know To Turn a Simple Idea into a Million Dollar Payday, 2nd Edition by Harvey Reese
* The Inventor's Bible: How to Market and License Your Brilliant Ideas by Ronald Louis Docie
* The Complete Idiot's Guide(R) to Cashing in On Your Inventions by Richard Levy

I also posted some article links in the source box.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!