Idea generator and fundraising are also a couple of benefits to joining a startup before starting your own.
1. Finding ideas can be hard especially when you start from scratch. Most startups (particularly fast scaling ones) can give you ideas if you look for:
* de-prioritized ideas due to "hyper-focus"
* listening to common problems that customers [0] have that aren't necessarily solved by your company.
* product features built that many other companies would find useful (e.g. collaborative editing infra)
* internal tooling that other companies would find useful
2. Fundraising[1]
Many friends got their first checks from investors that were investors of a startup they previously worked at. And the truth is, if you choose a slow-scaling/zombie startup, you will learn a ton still but honestly, the investors of that company aren't going to be stoked to invest in you if you spin out your own thing.
A quick list of common strategies that worked for them:
* Choose founders who don't treat investors as "dumb money"
* Choose companies backed by great investors
* Join startups that are scaling fast
* Join early (< 40) so you can be part of the "success story"
* Ask to meet the investors throughout your tenure (ideally you are upfront with the founders of the company you join)
* Stay there and be a part of the solution through 2+ tough moments (ie. investors can associate you with the success of the company)
[0] Getting to know potential customers and understanding how to acquire them is also super useful.
[1] You can avoid the fundraising focus by going to YC (or equivalent) because you'll get the necessary clout to get investors knocking. If you're going to a startup anyway to get experience and find ideas, you may as well prep for fundraising.
1. Finding ideas can be hard especially when you start from scratch. Most startups (particularly fast scaling ones) can give you ideas if you look for:
* de-prioritized ideas due to "hyper-focus"
* listening to common problems that customers [0] have that aren't necessarily solved by your company.
* product features built that many other companies would find useful (e.g. collaborative editing infra)
* internal tooling that other companies would find useful
2. Fundraising[1]
Many friends got their first checks from investors that were investors of a startup they previously worked at. And the truth is, if you choose a slow-scaling/zombie startup, you will learn a ton still but honestly, the investors of that company aren't going to be stoked to invest in you if you spin out your own thing.
A quick list of common strategies that worked for them:
* Choose founders who don't treat investors as "dumb money"
* Choose companies backed by great investors
* Join startups that are scaling fast
* Join early (< 40) so you can be part of the "success story"
* Ask to meet the investors throughout your tenure (ideally you are upfront with the founders of the company you join)
* Stay there and be a part of the solution through 2+ tough moments (ie. investors can associate you with the success of the company)
[0] Getting to know potential customers and understanding how to acquire them is also super useful.
[1] You can avoid the fundraising focus by going to YC (or equivalent) because you'll get the necessary clout to get investors knocking. If you're going to a startup anyway to get experience and find ideas, you may as well prep for fundraising.