Why doesn’t everyone work at startups?

Jan 15 881 Comments

I’ve always joined startups around the low single digit billion valuation and they’ve all given me huge returns (upwards of 15x). I think it’s pretty obvious which companies are in hyper growth mode (early stage Uber, Airbnb, Stripe, Robinhood, etc).

So my question now (which may be silly) is why does anyone work at Google or Facebook? Especially those who have been at Google and Facebook for 4+ years. Clearly they’ve missed out on huge rocketship startups, and I don’t understand why they still work at these large tech companies and make less money than people who follow my strategy.

And yes those people at Google and Facebook may be senior managers making 700k a year or whatever, but I’ve been making over that amount with a lower engineering level simply by picking rocketship startups. Despite some rocketships not doing well post-ipo, joining early enough basically makes it inconsequential.

Better question even is why people bother joining Robinhood now? Sure, they might get some sweet offers of 350k for 2 yoe, but that’s not really comparable to picking an early stage startup and riding that rocket for free. Why bother joining these huge mature companies at all? Google has just grown maybe 3x in five years, which is tiny compared to hyper growth startups.

Tc: 1.1 million due to stock appreciation from joining early at Robinhood despite the stock tanking. Will soon join another early startup.
Yoe: 8+

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TOP 881 Comments
  • Google
    fJHP05

    Go to company page Google

    fJHP05
    Something like 99% of startups fail. Why trade a guaranteed million dollars at faang (after say 5-6 years) for a startup that's highly likely to fail or even if succeeds will barely break even. Even ignoring much better wlb, stability, career progression, etc.
    Jan 15 22
  • Pixar
    Shart💩

    Go to company page Pixar

    Shart💩
    Did the startup thing, didn't get rich, helped with my skills growth, but now I'm done with that. Much prefer to have good WLB at a stable company that makes a product that makes people happy.
    Jan 15 2
  • Cisco / Eng
    2020.Two

    Go to company page Cisco Eng

    BIO
    Hands on developer, hardworking, leader, influencer, extremely committed to work, like to learn new things, level head in times of pressure
    2020.Two
    Risk vs stability.

    The avg 40 yr old with 2 kids, a home mortgage and probably other responsibilities will not prefer to work in a risk laden startup.

    If you are 20, just starting career go for it. Find a startup that excites you and work for it, see how it goes. Even if u lose everything and company burns down, just reset ur career and start fresh at a mid to large company. You will still be just in your late 20s, but with the knowledge, maturity and exposure of a comparable senior person in a mainstream company.
    Jan 15 1
    • Amazon
      VbUF11

      Go to company page Amazon

      BIO
      .
      VbUF11
      This - you need to either be young enough to be OK having roommates, or have already made a fortune elsewhere. I'm looking now, and I think my limit is a place that'll at least IPO within 12-18 months to keep covering expenses.
      Jan 22
  • Qualia
    lllllllljl

    Go to company page Qualia

    lllllllljl
    OP you seem to have had a good eye for promising startups, or have gotten lucky.

    Which do you see on the horizon with the 10-50x returns you’ve experienced
    Jan 15 10
  • People have families. I want to spend more time with my kids instead of working 8+ hours a day.
    Jan 15 4
    • @thredUP Why do you think it goes back to 20? Is it just "hope" or you have some reason/thesis?
      Jan 22
    • thredUP
      CeVH78

      Go to company page thredUP

      CeVH78
      We have something called raas. Resale as a service, Wells Fargo is claiming this is going to be A 300 million service in the next couple of years. We are growing in Europe and we are building a new distribution center which will employ 1500 people and hold 10 million items(we currently have 3 which hold 6 million together), I believe in the next few years it will go back to 20 because of this.
      Jan 22