Not that this helps the author, but some of the most successful people failed many times before succeeding. In fact, those who fail before becoming successful seem to be better able to repeat success than those who win on the first try. There is a big element of luck in success, so multiple attempts may be necessary even if funding is available.
I think it's important to note that each attempt is a gamble, and not everyone can afford to keep losing.
This is true, and pretty much always has been. It's also why, despite much propaganda (some know it better by the name of "The American Dream") and a few lucky exceptions, entrepreneurship has mostly been an endeavor of the more privileged, with access to enough funds to make several mistakes (or sometimes multiple in parallel) before hitting a jackpot.
For some reason, this often appears a rather touchy subject, if not a cultural taboo. In particularly in the USA, where many apparently believe that taking a risk as an entrepreneur should somehow result in success if you persevere. Some might even feel almost entitled to it, or so it appears. Which is rather odd, if you'd ever look at the statistics of failed business. Not to mention the many crazy and often totally unrealistic ideas some folks come up with.
Maybe it's all just a product of (cultural) brainwashing, ignorance, or just too much hope on a better live (or desperation about the current one).
EDIT: To be clear, I'm not saying that how the system works is fair. As a personal opinion, on the contrary. But complaining about how things didn't work out as you believed/hoped they should have, is like being angry at a bull for attacking you while being a vegetarian. Neither bull nor the system care.