If I remember, the Steves had enough money to build about 100 Apple I boards and sell them to a store in the Bay area that I think was called the Byte store for $500 per.
When they got paid for those they were able to buy more parts and turn out more products. In actuality Woz was the manufacturer for the most part.
Mike Markkula, who was one of the Fairchild millionaires chipped in about a quarter mil to really get things rolling.
edit: They bought the parts on credit, having a firm order for the complete boards at $666 retail, $500 cost to the dealer.