At this stage and without backing/guidance from networks like YC, TechStars (tried both a few times) or big angel or VC firms we have nothing to lose in telling our story.

We are technologists who have a history of creating innovation that gets noticed & or a novel idea we published in 2007 has gone onto have million of users after being copied 100 or more times.

Our weak point is networking and overall connecting with people & getting the right people behind us! It's so frustrating.....

This sounds snarky but isn't my intent: your weak point is selling, which is different than networking or connecting with people.

I would say if their tech has been copied 100 times and used by millions that the problem is not sales it is monetization.

To the OP hang in there and don’t let these games get you down.