perhaps you could fund the transition by doing a sort of seed round. Where you let people invest in return for a bonus % on their future Teardrops stake.
So, let's say the Teardrops token price will be 0,100 Hive at launch. If people pre-buy by sending you Hive, Swap.Hive or HBD, then they will get a 25% bonus.
While all Marlians stakes will be converted based on the price difference between Marlians price on Steem-engine versus Teardrops price on Hive-engine.
Lot's of people are aware of what you do and some have very deep pockets that would be willing to fund the transition in return for a bit of profit.
Money is never the problem, all you need is a plan and then to communicate it.