An agent I know did it in 1992 with 15k. He took 3 of us out for a curry : wanted 5k each of us. 1 of my friends was very lippy/rude : agent went off in a huff and went elsewhere. Got all the money from 1 chap.
By 1995 he had 30 contractors : was soon taking 500k a year between them!
Probably biggest deal I ever missed out on.
Did he sell the business? Where is he now BrilloPad?