What to do when startup fails?
I've joined a startup as a CTO by an atypical, non-tech path. Now, the startup is at the brink of failing. Would it be a poor strategic move to go back to a lower rank like product manager or UX designer?
How many people did you manage and for how long? CTO title is irrelevant at a startup, but what you did there can be leveraged.
Directly managing 4 but I'm effectively managing the whole company including the CEO
So you could probably slot into a development manager or product manager position at most companies. Maybe senior if you interview well.
A CTO in a startup is a close to lead swe. Why not try for that job. Your startup experience and it’s failure makes you a valuable resource to drive a project / company not repeating the same mistake . Well for that PM or UX works as well.. I personally would respect a colleague with that background .
Thanks, that's very encouraging!
OP said they came in through a non-tech path. You need to have been a swe to be a lead swe.
It will not be a lower rank and if that is how you feel then you need a lot of unlearning except experience from failure. Brutal truth is as a CTO for tiny team you did nothing extraordinary that any TPM or tech lead would have done in mid size org. Go with this mindset, it will make you feel less demotivating. Btw, who doesn’t taste failure in career unless the person is with mere 2-3 yoe.
Just stop failing! (Obviously)
The other option would be to remain unemployed?
Haha, fair point. I've received criticism in the past for taking a job beneath my qualifications since it made my resume look like here were two different people on it