There are a lot of variables involved here. Hiring Managers == Humans == Emotional Logic There will never be a 100% case, the closest you might get is that a

There are a lot of variables involved here. Hiring Managers == Humans == Emotional Logic There will never be a 100% case, the closest you might get is that a hiring manager who is startup oriented could see that year as valuable productive time. A hiring manager who feels that only time spent in the ranks at BigCo is worthwhile might see that as a wasted year. The reality though is that there are all kinds of companies, all kinds of hiring managers, and all kinds of opportunities out there. Taking a shot at your own idea for year will open some doors and close others if you suddenly decide to go the "traditional" route. It is my personal opinion that working for a halfway decent organization for a year will open more net doors for you than working on your own in solitude for a year (assuming that after that year you are likely to seek different employment). So, if you don't have formal experience I would guide you down that path first, unless your idea is a really-super-killer-1-person-can-build it sort of thing.