Risk mitigation strategies (I will not promote)

Hi! I have been working on a startup. It involves R&D and eventually manufacturing. That means that it can be quite capital intensive. I am having to spend a lot of my life’s savings for this, while understanding that it may all be money down the drain if I don’t succeed. My question is what strategies have other founders taken to mitigate risk. I don’t want my family to bear the brunt of my entrepreneurial ambitions (they are extremely supportive). Thanks!