" Funding the project with money earned from working on experimental PS3 Cell-processor gaming projects for IBM, Blow began coding Braid in December 2004." http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=194727
It seems like Braid is and still-is a high-demand game mercenary. Regardless of how it was funded, I think the fact he conceived and created a game mostly by himself in an industry where teams of creative individuals with multi-million dollar budgets struggle (death marches) to ship games is remarkable.
"The Art Of Braid: Creating A Visual Identity For An Unusual Game" by Braid artist David Hellman http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3753/the_art_of_braid_...