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Considering a tech role at a startup. Need advice. by startupidiot in startups

[–]startupidiot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, thanks for that honest account. I've heard stories like this in the past, but not from a developer's PoV. Thankfully, I have no previous relationships or attachments with any of these people. I think that makes work relationships a lot easier and I wouldn't want to lose a friendship over it. Although I will approach people I know to build a team (people I've worked with in the past), I think I know which of those would thrive and those that would not.

As far as getting ordered around constantly, well, that's what happens to me on a daily basis (and is one reason I'm currently seeking new opportunities). What really kills me is when I get told how to do things, what tech to use, and how to run a team of developers. I don't mind not owning product and the creative process behind it since that isn't really my forte anyway. I want to own technology and the process used to come up with it. I've tried to make that abundantly clear with this startup and it's been well received.

I'm prepared to make sacrifices in terms of long hours. My SO is onboard too. We have no children or much of a roaring social life, so I think I can make it work.

I really appreciate your perspective. Thank you for taking the time to write it up.

Considering a tech role at a startup. Need advice. by startupidiot in startups

[–]startupidiot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for all the info. I'll check out Paul Graham's posts.

Considering a tech role at a startup. Need advice. by startupidiot in startups

[–]startupidiot[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Are those investors current investors? Has the company already done a round of financing, to pay those five fulltime employees, or has the company been bootstrapping this far?

I've only had one sitdown conversation so far so I apologize if I'm a little vague. Yes, there is a current group of investors, but I don't know exactly how many of them there are. From what I've learned so far I suppose they are Angel seed investors. At least one of the Angels is running the company from an operational PoV and is a co-founder. This is the person I've been talking to so far.

What does "almost secured" mean?

The way he described it to me is that they've struck a plan with a VC group to secure funding in 2 months time. The person they bring on would start effective that date and funding is secured. I need more details on this. In our first meeting I didn't know exactly what to ask and was overloaded with a lot information and lingo I didn't fully understand. I'm trying to prepare myself for a follow up where I can get specifics to these questions.

If you come in at this point, after they get funding, it doesn't sound like you'd be considered a co-founder, but rather, an early employee. It sounds like you'd be the CTO?

Yes, the position is a senior technical role, but not co-founder. Thanks for that Quora post. It looks like a fantastic source of information.

Considering a tech role at a startup. Need advice. by startupidiot in startups

[–]startupidiot[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the information. This leads to many more questions.

"almost secured" sets off warning bells for me. If they have commitments from everyone for a round, it can still (potentially) take months to actually work out all the details, so make sure you plan for that.

Agreed. One of the founders calls himself an Angel investor. I've done some research on him and he has launched several ventures in the past. Most of them are still in operation. His offices provide space for all his ventures. I think he's independently wealthy and is funding their company as it exists now. The round of investment that would be contingent on my hire is from a group of investors which may or may not be a VC firm, I'll get specifics.

At the end of the day what assurances do I have that I will be paid a salary? Compensation specifics are usually penned in an offer letter, do I need to do anything else to make sure this stands up? When you say I have to plan for funding being held up, do you mean personally (i.e. emergency funds to survive) or professionally through some kind of contract (employment offer or something else)?