3 ms·

I'm in silicon valley. True there are plenty of engineers, most you'll find are wannabes with no real skillet as an entrepreneur/startup. They just want to

I'm in silicon valley. True there are plenty of engineers, most you'll find are wannabes with no real skillet as an entrepreneur/startup. They just want to ride on coat tails of someone who knows what where how. Most capable ppl with startup ambitions already have their connections. You are far better just soliciting for partners on HN or other startup sites of which there are plenty with plenty also looking to partners. Hate to sound cynical and/or degrading but moat I've met through meetups and alike groups are all wannabes. However like anywhere else, there are still plenty like myself who wants to get started on that endeavor too. I've worked for all the FANNG+M and find all capable ppl have their contacts they trust The only time you maybe be successful is if you are already funded. But there is one advantage of doing all that in the Valley; funding is easy. Almost every serious meetups have someone in VC world scouting. Oh also lawyers who have been there done that to setup you up with term sheets and sound contracts that's been proven. Reddit is also someone you can maybe find someone. btw the "it" place(s) to be is Palo Alto and SF. It as mentioned before breaking in and getting noticed is impossible unless you already got in roads with connected ppl. Ol adage: It's WHO you know not WHAT you know.

plasticplanet 4y ago
Thanks! Not cynical at all, because you're right. I hope I can write here a bit. In my case I'm a self taught software engineer, and since I don't have FANG experience I'm already behind I guess. However, what will always keep me behind is staying in my small town that's 90 minutes from the closest metro, and where there is basically no major tech presence. I do have some decent experience on my belt that includes big companies and a late joiner at a tech unicorn startup. I don't have millions of dollars saved, but after a small liquidation event I've got close to 110k in my bank account, and another few 100k's in equities/retirement that is my safety net. I know 110k is not a lot in the bay area, but I've already sold most of my things and I'm asset-light in my personal life once I manage to sell the remaining couple pieces of furniture. All I've got is my cat, my laptop, and a suitcase of my clothes lol. I'm on my last day in SF and I have already made up my mind to move here. Going to try my best to network and build connections. Maybe it will go somewhere, at least there is enough personal runway for me for a couple years if I can live a modest lifestyle. If nothing works out, I will try to get into a FANG or another high-tier company. Cheers!

plasticplanet 4y ago

Thanks! Not cynical at all, because you're right. I hope I can write here a bit. In my case I'm a self taught software engineer, and since I don't have FANG experience I'm already behind I guess. However, what will always keep me behind is staying in my small town that's 90 minutes from the closest metro, and where there is basically no major tech presence. I do have some decent experience on my belt that includes big companies and a late joiner at a tech unicorn startup. I don't have millions of dollars saved, but after a small liquidation event I've got close to 110k in my bank account, and another few 100k's in equities/retirement that is my safety net. I know 110k is not a lot in the bay area, but I've already sold most of my things and I'm asset-light in my personal life once I manage to sell the remaining couple pieces of furniture. All I've got is my cat, my laptop, and a suitcase of my clothes lol. I'm on my last day in SF and I have already made up my mind to move here. Going to try my best to network and build connections. Maybe it will go somewhere, at least there is enough personal runway for me for a couple years if I can live a modest lifestyle. If nothing works out, I will try to get into a FANG or another high-tier company. Cheers!