joining a 5G startup
LMTS at Salesforce with 350k TC approx, doing ML. Got approached by the founders of this series A startup. They are working on network optimization of IOT/ streaming traffic on 5G/ LTE. It's a leadership position where I get to start and direct the ML development. How do I evaluate this offer against staying at Salesforce? I'm not super interested in what I'm doing now at Salesforce although it may get more interesting next year. Also my 4y cliff ends in 2020 and the refreshers I've been given will still result in drop in pay. I've interviews at FAAGML, but that's yet to happen and I need to decide on this now. They are offering 180k, 0.6p equity, 10M total funding. I've personal considerations in the sense the cash comp might be tight given my life situation but I'm asking this from a career perspective.
Lol wakaa. I wouldn’t just slice my comp in half for hoping a startup worked out.
Worth the risk as 5G will be big
Can you explain? I know this, but would like you hear your thoughts
5G will have implications on various industries - AV, AR/VR, cable, emergency services. With that there will be innovation in terms of devices , applications, and data analytics
Are you getting options that are 0.6% of the company? Are they ISO or NQSO? Or you are getting RSU?
It's series A. So not RSU. What are the other types?
Startups are often not worth the risk, especially so this late in the business cycle. If a recession comes a lot will fold. And your options are unlikely to be worth much. Seems like a much better bet to interview with other bigtech.
Check if this company has customers in Japan and South Korea. These are two major markets for startups. Founders must be either from Ericsson or Nokia. If startup will get solid customer base they will buy it. Startups never get business with large SP because of risk. So if you were told that you will work with Verizon or att then it’s fake. Stay away from b-yound by the way.
If you know startup founders personally and trust them enough to succeed, I would go ahead. Otherwise it would be crazy decision to join start up with 50% pay cut.
Check the terms attached to the equity grant and their equity plan. Is their cap table clean? Did their founders issue themselves founder shares? Do they have hidden clauses that can screw you? Do their options expire 90 days after leaving, or do they convert to NQ options with 10 years term?
I´ll take the job if you dont want it. Can you msg me the company info?
How old are you and how many dependents do you have?
Mid 30s, two dogs and parents living with me 6mos/yr and two bed townhome in SF.
That’s tough. Its a big pay cut and exits are taking longer and longer. If you have the financial runway, sure.