Based on personal experience, I doubt $50k in credit card debt was what was planned for and probably came out of necessity to finish the thing.

Fund-raising takes a lot of mental space on its own which comes at a high premium when you're focused on finishing a product.

Even with $50k at 20%, we're talking about $833 a month in interest, that's not that much to someone who would usually make $100k+ at a job if they fail.

Opportunity cost is the real liability.