Just wondering what is the value of a start up for people working there. Is it just work ethic and dreams?
For me there are a number of reasons I prefer startups to bigger companies. There is often a singular focus around a goal, which I appreciate, whether it's hitting a certain metric or shipping a given feature. Paradoxically, you get to wear many hats in pursuing that goal, from product design to deployment. It works well for my ADD brain. Also, at startups I wouldn't say there's less politics. But it's different, rarely are two teams jockeying for some VPs eyeballs. Instead when there's disagreement it's usually around what's best for the company, as everyone has a stake in it. I feel like these are the most productive and fulfilling disagreements to have at work. I'm realistic about the outcomes, I doubt I'll get rich and would probably have a nicer house or car if I went to work at Hooli. But I earn a fair salary, get some lottery tickets, and most importantly I enjoy the work I get to do.
Masochistic tendencies
There’s less bureaucracy to jump through to get stuff done. You get to take on more responsibility. You get to know your coworkers better. There is more room for growth within the company (and possibly huge payoffs if the company gets bought/goes public).
You can work anywhere if you are good and be happy if you want to make a difference and have impact work at a startup. Don't work for seed funded companies unless is founded by veterans startup folks, if there is no product market fit don't join the company. Typically doesn't happen until series B funding round.
It's about how to pick the company. Management team, culture, what you will be doing, mission, and so on. TC is hard but stocks could pay off. But more losers than winners out there. Don't join seed funded companies!
You get to intimately see how a company is run. That can be very valuable if you later start your own.
Seed funded companies are the best. You are there from the beginning, your impact can not be any higher, you learn a ton and do all kinds of work you don’t get to do being pigeon-holed at larger companies. Also, your stake in the company is amazing at zero strike price. If the company sells or goes IPO you can retire. Find smart people and have some fun birthing an idea into the world.
Do you have any checklist on how you made right choice? My choice seems to be bad at Harness. I thought I made right choice about CEO but ended up horrible with Engg Management.
Dreams mostly
Picking the right company is the key