I don't see this taking off: - Worst case: they get 80% of the work they pay you for, and a chronically depressed employee because the side business isn't work

I don't see this taking off: - Worst case: they get 80% of the work they pay you for, and a chronically depressed employee because the side business isn't working. - Best case: The side business takes off, they lose an employee, and get a share in a risky startup totally unrelated to their main focus. If they wanted to do that, they probably would have become a VC in the first place! :)