5 ms·
I'd only recommend doing that once, however. After that you're better off being a founder if you like the risk, or a later employee if you don't. Being a very
by fizx 16y ago
I'd only recommend doing that once, however. After that you're better off being a founder if you like the risk, or a later employee if you don't.
Being a very early employee means you get paid in knowledge and seniority, instead of equity or salary. You hit diminishing returns when you do it again.
Signed, a guy who has been employee #1 at three startups. ymmv, etc.
- klochner 16y agoAnd you get the credential of being "employee #X at foo" if foo does well. For example, it might add credibility to a blog post (see title) or new startup ( http://bizeebee.com/ http://bizeebee.com/ )
- ghshephard 16y agoWell, as one who has been sub employee #10 at two startups that managed to make it to 500 employees, (One of which sold for $1.6B, fingers crossed on #2 going out for north of $1B), I'd suggest that there is a certain class of employee who can act in a supporting role, but isn't necessarily going to create the product. Salary/Equity are usually pretty good in VC funded startups (As opposed to Self Funded/Angel Funded - where I agree, be the founder or come in later on) Of course, I totally agree, ymmv - You apparently have seen the low end of the return, whereas I've seen the alternate.
- fizx 16y agoIf you can pick startups that well, I suggest a career in venture capital as an alternative to (presumably) engineering. :)
- breck 16y agoymmv = your mileage may vary first time i've seen that one.
- starkfist 16y agoIt's ancient. Maybe by now it's retro and making a comeback.