Sory but this looks like the ad for the man more than shout for help.
And this : This story can be verified with a well-known VC and other reputable folks around Silicon Valley, just ping me for details.
I am sure well-known VC can scratch 300 bucks for a few years old Thinkpad that can serve the MIT grad for a year or two until the advertised startup picks up and gets funded.
Call me a cynic...