Worked in Google US, then Alibaba China, then a startup founder. I'm comparing not your average companies but top notch from the two worlds. Engineering cultur

Worked in Google US, then Alibaba China, then a startup founder. I'm comparing not your average companies but top notch from the two worlds. Engineering culture has a lot similarity between the two, both are doing very innovative stuff and paying great attentions to quality of their infrastructures and both suck at building social network products. Notable differences include 1. Google engineers have a stronger say in their company and Alibaba pays more attention to the economic ecosystem. As a result, Google's products really shine as engineering 'miracles' while Alibaba's have greater impact to the society. Different DNA from their founders. 2. Alibaba engineers work much longer hours than Google's, at least 20% more. This has pros and cons. 3. Shorter product development cycle in Alibaba. This has pros and cons. 4. Higher pay growth in Alibaba. Fresh grads start around $30k/year, about 1/4 of that of Google. However, into 4th/5th year the former increases to one million yuan ($150k) per year including cash and RSU, on par with Google's. More seasoned engineers get tremendous respect and insane pay. Alibaba usually double or even triple people's total package when they left Google to join the company. 5. Alibaba pay more attention to the value of data and has better data infrastructure IMHO. This can be decisive for the future. And now I'm into the 2nd year of my startup. As contrary to popular belief, the Chinese are true entrepreneurs and the society is generally very supportive for changes. And government's stimulus is insane. For example, my company got six million yuan (almost $1 million) fund from the municipal government when it's just established, with almost no requirement and absolutely no string attached. Free money and that's all. Probably the best place in the world to start a company and I'm greatly thankful.