Risk of becoming a technical co-founder

Jan 6, 2020 6 Comments

I've been approached by a former colleague to be the technical Co-founder of a startup in my home country. I'm sold on the idea and am excited about the idea of being an entrepreneur and living there.

I have a green card. If I went and the startup didn't pan out, how difficult would it be to get back into the tech industry as a SWE or PM? Would companies value experience as a technical co-founder when making hiring decisions? Would I need to accept a level lower than my current one? Would the fact that I'd be in a different country make a difference?

For context I've been working at Microsoft in Redmond as a dev for 3.5 years straight out of college. I'd be okay with taking a few steps back in my career if I come back, but just want to understand how many :)

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TOP 6 Comments
  • Google
    qxPE01

    Go to company page Google

    qxPE01
    Career wise I donโ€™t think it would be a step back. Say you give it two years you will have 5 years experience in different roles and running a business is a great learning opportunity.
    The green card is another matter. Who knows what the process will look like on your return. If you want to live in the US might be worth staying.
    Jan 6, 2020 1
    • Amazon / Eng
      lemongras$

      Go to company page Amazon Eng

      lemongras$
      Yeah I'd agree. OP, what you learn and do is just as important as (if not more than) where you work. I know many incompetent, unfulfilled, and unhappy devs at MS, AMZN, FB, etc. who stall in their careers because of these things.

      MS will be there if it's not for you and you want to come back, and you'll have a ton of new and diverse experience under your belt if you decide to return.
      Jan 6, 2020
  • Uber
    homedude

    Go to company page Uber

    homedude
    Aren't you considered to have abandoned your green card if you live outside US for 1 year?
    Jan 6, 2020 0
  • Reddit
    sb6jaq

    Go to company page Reddit

    sb6jaq
    No matter what happens make sure you donโ€™t lose the GC.
    Jan 7, 2020 0
  • Donโ€™t fall for this trap
    Jan 6, 2020 0
  • Cisco
    ๐ŸŸฅ๐ŸŸจ๐ŸŸฉ jah

    Go to company page Cisco

    ๐ŸŸฅ๐ŸŸจ๐ŸŸฉ jah
    Canโ€™t you just do remote?
    Jan 6, 2020 0