4 ms·
I'd say there are a couple problems you're likely to have at a successful startup: 1) You (the early engineer) get promoted and are leading the charge, but hav
by bengotow 8y ago
I'd say there are a couple problems you're likely to have at a successful startup:
1) You (the early engineer) get promoted and are leading the charge, but have no mentors or role models to help you develop your career.
2) You raise a huge Series A / B, and everyone says "spend it in 18 months" so you hire a ton of people quickly, which significantly changes the company culture. Your first attempts at introducing structure / management to the team are rough, and early engineers get frustrated the growth and seek out smaller teams.
3) You (and everyone else) think the startup is "successful" as valuations increase and build your internal narrative around this success. Later reality sets in - you need a bridge round! Since you and your co-workers placed so much of your self worth in the company's success it totally destroys morale.
- kevinpet 8y agoThis fits my experience. Also important to remember that success is cyclical. One year you think "wow I never thought it could take off like this" and the next year is "where did all the growth go, how did these idiots ever think this product would succeed".
- goatherders 8y agoI advise a startup in the bay area and sat in on a meeting with an early investor last week. A plan for raising a series A was laid out and he said "why do you want to raise money outside of being in SV? Nothing you have told me indicates you need funding."
- throwaway09871 8y agoStartup promised options in employment contracts. Three years later, employees find out they were never granted. Very stressful and depressing. What to do? Can you recommend a good attorney in the Bay Area?