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The worst time to join a startup is right after it gets initial VC financing

48 points| prakash | 16 years ago |cdixon.org | reply

16 comments

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[+] railsjedi|16 years ago|reply
Depends on if you want equity or not. If you are consultant, the absolute best time to join a startup is after they get funding. It means low risk of bounced checks. Several very bad mistakes consulting for prefunded startups leads me to this conclusion.
[+] flipper|16 years ago|reply
Exactly. The VCs would expect the startup to spend the capital on growing the business quickly, and if that means hiring consultants and paying them a top rate then so be it. In fact, the startup would get in trouble with their financiers if they didn't do it.
[+] netsp|16 years ago|reply
I am certainly no expert, but this doesn't seem surprising for three reasons.

- Significant investment means significant external validation for the company's chances of success. It also theoretically raises its chances of success. it isn't some idea that nobody would fund.

- Before investment the company is comprised of some work that has been done & some ideas. After investment, the company is more work and money. It's bigger.

- They can afford to pay salaries.

Can someone explain why this post doesn't just mean penny stocks are better the blue chips?

[+] Frocer|16 years ago|reply
Exactly, because of those 3 points above the new employee also takes on significantly less risk in comparison to joining pre-Series A. It's very logical and I don't really get what the OP was trying to explain.
[+] ulf|16 years ago|reply
"This is pretty much the opposite of Wall Street’s compensation schemes. To me, as a principle, that means it’s probably a good idea.."

priceless

[+] gfodor|16 years ago|reply
Uh, one word: paycheck.
[+] megamark16|16 years ago|reply
I just joined a startup that recently received funding (although not in the 2M range). If they hadn't received some venture capital I don't know if I would have been up for the risk, I've got a family to take care of :-) Obviously there's still risk involved, but feeling pretty confident that my paychecks are going to clear is good.
[+] zackattack|16 years ago|reply
I read previously (on here) that pre-money engineers tend to get shafted. Would somebody in the know please opine?